Relative to zero-based budgeting and budget transparency
Summary
S.2221 would require Massachusetts to prepare and submit a “zero-based budget” for state government on a quadrennial basis. Under the bill, the Secretary of Administration and Finance, with the Governor’s approval, would develop a budget for each agency and department starting from a zero-dollar baseline rather than using prior appropriations. Each budget would be paired with a narrative describing the agency’s tasks, goals, and objectives for up to four years, along with performance measures tied to those goals.
The bill also creates a review process for the Legislature. The zero-based budget would be referred to the relevant subject-matter committees, which would evaluate each component and consider public testimony. The House and Senate Ways and Means Committees would then hold at least one public hearing, accept written and electronic testimony for at least 30 days, and produce a joint zero-based budget estimate within 60 days. If adopted by joint resolution, that estimate would be used as a reference point when evaluating annual budgets for the next four years.
Impact
The bill would amend Chapter 29 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new section governing state budget preparation and legislative review. It would not directly appropriate funds, but it would change the framework for how state agencies and departments justify funding requests, requiring performance-based narratives and a zero-based approach that disregards prior appropriations. The measure would affect the Secretary of Administration and Finance, the Governor, legislative subject-matter committees, and the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, while also creating a recurring public hearing and testimony process tied to budget development.
Sentiment
There is limited recorded discussion or voting history available for this bill, so no formal consensus or opposition can be measured from committee transcripts or roll calls. Based on the bill’s title and structure, it appears aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal scrutiny in the budget process. The absence of recorded votes or transcripts suggests the bill’s reception in the available record is neutral or not yet fully developed.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the practical burden of requiring zero-based budgeting across all state agencies every four years, including the administrative workload of rebuilding budgets from scratch and producing detailed performance narratives. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency, cost-effectiveness, and legislative oversight, while critics may question whether the process is too time-consuming, disruptive to long-term planning, or difficult to implement consistently across complex agencies. Another possible issue is the bill’s advisory structure: it requires legislative review and a joint resolution, but it does not clearly mandate that the resulting estimate replace the Governor’s budget, which could limit its effect and invite debate over its usefulness.
Replaced by
Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to make an investigation and study of a certain current Senate document relative to zero-based budgeting and budget transparency.
Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to make an investigation and study of a certain current Senate document relative to zero-based budgeting and budget transparency.