HB293 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Legislature, Budget Management Act of 1976, biennial budgeting provided for, performance review of state agencies, contingent upon const. amend., Secs. 41-19-1, 41-19-3 to 41-19-8, inclusive, 41-19-10 to 41-19-12, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

HB293 would establish biennial budgeting with enhanced planning, reporting, and performance review for Alabama state government, contingent on a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

HB293 amends the Budget Management Act to create biennial budget periods for the State General Fund and Education Trust Fund, with budgets considered in alternate years and detailed breakdowns by revenue source, program, and cost item, plus regular performance reviews of state agencies. It requires the Department of Finance to publish monthly financial reports showing fund balances, revenue forecasts, adjustments, expenditures, and year-to-date figures, with public access. It creates a planning framework including a four-year Governor's strategic plan, an executive budget, and a Division of Planning, and requires agencies to provide program and financial information for the biennial budget and annual performance reports. It also reorganizes legislative budgeting into biennial budget sessions and imposes oversight and reporting requirements, plus penalties for providing false budget information.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and departments (including public colleges and universities) must prepare and submit program and financial information and operate under biennial budgets with performance reviews.
• The Governor and the Legislature (through the Department of Finance and Legislative Council) will plan, approve, and oversee the biennial budget process, including budget sessions and monthly reporting.

Key Provisions

• Creates biennial budget periods for the State General Fund and Education Trust Fund; budgets are reviewed in alternate years with full detail by revenue source, program, cost center, and line item.
• Requires annual performance reviews of state agencies, departments, boards, bureaus, and institutions; post-audit of financial transactions.
• Replaces monthly financial reporting to include beginning balances, revenue forecasts, adjustments, total resources, expenditures, ending balances, and year-to-date revenues/expenses; reports publicly and to Legislative staff.
• Governor must prepare a four-year strategic plan and an executive budget; Department of Finance assists agencies and compiles information for biennial budgets; Legislative Council provides advisory role.
• Legislature adopts biennial budgeting framework and conducts fiscal sessions dedicated to revenues and basic appropriations; basic appropriations divided between general and education functions.
• Enacts penalties for providing false budget or fiscal information; second conviction leads to ineligibility for state employment.
• Contingent on a constitutional amendment to authorize biennial budgeting sessions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legislature