SB 1022 - Under the proposed act, the statutory penalties and attorney fees associated with a vexatious refusal to pay claim are made mandatory. Under current law, the statutory penalties and attorney fees associated with a vexatious refusal to pay claim are discretionary in that the court or jury may award such damages or attorney fees. In addition to the mandatory penalties, the proposed act provides that a claimant shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee if a vexatious refusal to pay dispute is resolved through compromised settlement. STEPHEN WITTE