BILL NUMBER: S2014
SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing amendments to
sections 1, 2 and 7 of article 7 of the constitution, in relation to
providing for the establishment of a biennial budgeting system for the
state replacing the state annual budget process
 
PURPOSE:
This resolution proposes to amend sections 1, 2 and 7 of Article 7 of
the constitution. It would provide for the establishment of a biennial
budgeting process for the state that would replace the State's annual
process.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation would require that every two years the Governor would
be required to submit to the Legislature, a document setting forth a
financial program for the ensuing biennium. The Governor would be
required to submit this two-year fiscal plan in odd-numbered years by
the second Tuesday following the first day of the annual meeting of the
Legislature. Alternatively, the plan could be submitted by the third
Tuesday following the first day of the annual meeting of the Legislature
following the year of a constitutionally-mandated election of Governor
and Lieutenant Governor.
To implement a biennial budgeting process through a constitutional
amendment, two separately-elected Legislatures are required to pass this
concurrent resolution in consecutive sessions. Following passage by
these two full Legislatures, this measure would require public approval
in a statewide referendum.
 
EXISTING LAW:
Under Article 7 of the Constitution, the Governor is annually required
to submit to the Legislature a financial plan for the ensuing fiscal
year. The Governor must submit this document on or before the first day
of February in each year following the year fixed by the constitution
for the election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and on or before
the second Tuesday following the first day of the annual meeting of the
Legislature.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Too often in New York State's financial planning process, lawmakers'
emphasis falls squarely on doing whatever is necessary to pass a budget
without a disciplined analysis and consideration of the state's long-
term fiscal position. While these decisions have enabled the state to
continue operating for another fiscal year, they also continued to weak-
en the state's financial stability.
A biennial budgeting process would force lawmakers to acknowledge that
the one-shots, spending increases and other actions taken in one year
will have consequences in the next year. This legislation proposes to
require the Governor to submit to the Legislature an Executive Budget
for the ensuing two years. This cycle would also provide legislators
with more time over each 24 month period to debate and consider non-fis-
cal policy matters important to New Yorkers.
In an August 2009 report comparing annual and biennial budgeting, the
National Conference of State Legislatures stated, "Biennial budgeting
represents a commitment of policy direction and funding amounts for a
longer period than annual budgeting." Biennial budgeting should also
reduce Executive branch costs of preparing a budget because two years'
worth of financial planning activities would be consolidated into one.
Nationwide, 20 states operate on two-year budget cycles; 15 of these
states support annual legislative sessions similar to New York's legis-
lative cycle.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S1334/A9234 Galef - died in committee
2019-20: S2731 No Same as - died in committee
2017-18: S3333 No Same as - died in committee
2015-16: S2671 No Same as - died in committee
2013-14: S3448 No Same as - died in committee
2011-12: S453-A/A3163-A Morelle - died in committee
2010: S7160/A10326 Morelle - died in committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Resolved (if the Assembly concur), that the foregoing amendments be
referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the
next succeeding general election of members of the Assembly and in
conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution; be
published for three months previous to the time of such election.