The Text

There shall be a court of claims, composed of three judges appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate, in which shall be adjudicated such claims against the State as the Legislature shall by general laws direct. Such claims shall be tried without a jury ; but the facts found by the court shall be stated in each adjudication. When claims for the value of or damages to real estate shall amount to five hundred dollars or more, the judges of said court shall, and in all other cases may, view the property in question, and in deciding thereon their estimate of such value or damages shall be taken in connection with the evidence. In other respects such court shall be governed by the rules of law heretofore applicable to cases between the State and the citizen. The laws of limitation, except as provided in the sixth section of this article, shall prevail in favor of the State as in favor of individuals. The limitation shall begin to run from the adoption of this Constitution ; but this shall not be construed to revive claims already barred by existing statutes. The jurisdiction of such court shall be exclusive ; and its decisions may be reviewed on the law, on appeal to the court of appeals. The judges of said court shall hold their offices for five years, unless sooner removed according to law, and shall receive at stated times for their services a compensation to be established by law, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.