ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 33 by a vote of 126 to 45 on Monday, March 14, 2011. Introduced by State Representative Stephen Allison (R-Blairsville), this legislation is designed to increase efficiencies and decrease wasteful spending by requiring the state of Georgia to implement a zero-based budgeting system.
“The economic recession has forced us to make some serious decisions about our state budget, including nearly $4 billion in necessary cuts,” said Representative Allison. “This bill allows the General Assembly to objectively examine state budgets, identify inefficiencies, and eliminate any potential waste. The resulting budgetary transparency will benefit taxpayers across the state.”
Under HB 33, Georgia would begin using a system of zero-based budgeting that would allow the General Assembly to review every budgetary detail of state departments and agencies. Each year, the Joint Fiscal Affairs Committee, comprised of nine state Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and nine state Senators appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, would be tasked with choosing which agencies and departments would be required to submit a zero-based budget. Agencies selected for zero-based budgeting would be required to detail their spending for the previous two years.
This legislation requires each agency to use zero-based budgeting at least once every six years and shall not require any agency to use the budgeting method more than once every four years.
Additionally, HB 33 would also combine the House Budget Office and Senate Budget Office into the Joint Legislative Budget Office.
“This change alone result is estimated to save the state $1 million in savings each year,” added Rep. Allison.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, HB 33 would go into effect on January 1, 2012, and remain in force until the law sunsets in the year 2019. This seven year window will allow the state to try zero-based budgeting and weigh its merits before mandating its permanent use.
For more information on HB 33, please click here.
Representative Stephen Allison represents the citizens of District 8, which includes portions of Rabun, Towns, Union, and White counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves as the Secretary of the Game, Fish, & Park and Judiciary committees. He also serves on the Appropriations, Economic Development & Tourism, and Higher Education committees.
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