Bill Text: TX SB1420 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to zero-based budgeting for state agencies as part of the sunset review process.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-18 - Referred to Finance [SB1420 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB1420-Introduced.html

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87R829 CJC-D
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1420

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to zero-based budgeting for state agencies as part of the
sunset review process.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 325.007, Government Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 325.007. AGENCY REPORT TO COMMISSION; ZERO-BASED
BUDGET.
SECTION 2. Section 325.007, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
(c) Before November 1 of the odd-numbered year before the
year in which a state agency subject to this chapter is to be
abolished, the agency shall present to the commission a zero-based
budget for the state fiscal biennium that begins on the date the
agency is scheduled to be abolished that contains:
(1) a description of the discrete activities the
agency is charged with conducting or performing, together with a
justification for each activity by reference to a statute or other
legal authority;
(2) for each activity identified under Subdivision
(1):
(A) a quantitative estimate of any adverse
effects that reasonably may be expected to result if the activity
were discontinued, together with a description of the methods by
which the adverse effects were estimated;
(B) an itemized account of expenditures required
to maintain the activity at the minimum level of service or
performance required by the statute or other legal authority,
together with a concise statement of the quantity and quality of
service or performance required at that minimum level; and
(C) an itemized account of expenditures required
to maintain the activity at the current level of service or
performance, together with a concise statement of the quantity and
quality of service or performance provided at that current level;
and
(3) a ranking of activities identified under
Subdivision (1) that illustrates the relative importance of each
activity to the overall goals and purposes of the agency at current
service or performance levels.
(d) A state agency shall submit the zero-based budget
required under Subsection (c) to the Legislative Budget Board as
part of the agency's legislative appropriations request for the
state fiscal biennium that begins on the date the agency is
scheduled to be abolished.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply to
agencies scheduled to be abolished on or after September 1, 2025, if
not continued in accordance with Chapter 325, Government Code.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.