SECTION 64.
Said chapter 29, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following new section:-
SECTION 29J. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller may enter into contracts to identify and pursue cost avoidance opportunities for programs of the commonwealth. Payments on account of such cost avoidance projects shall be made only from such actual cost savings as have been certified in writing to the house and senate committees on ways and means by the comptroller and the budget director as attributable to such cost avoidance projects. The comptroller may establish such procedures, as he deems appropriate and necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section. The budget director shall report on a quarterly basis to the house and senate committees on ways and means the status of all cost avoidance projects which are undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this section and the comptroller shall report on said projects as a part of his annual report pursuant to section 12 of chapter 7A.
