HB 142

Enacts new GS 143C-3-3.1, providing as follows. Defines zero-based budget as a budget that reflects the amount of funding deemed necessary to achieve the most cost-effective performance of each State agency pursuant to an accompanying narrative delineating the tasks to be performed by the State agency together with the goals and objectives for each State agency for a period not to exceed four years. Requires the budget to have a zero-dollar amount as its basis and not reflect any prior appropriation amount. Requires the Governor, starting with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, to begin implementation of a zero-based budget. Requires phasing in the zero-based budget over four fiscal years, beginning with the State agencies in the executive branch. Requires a State agency, when it submits its zero-based budget for a fiscal year, to develop its budget requests for appropriations on a zero base, as if the budget for the State agency was being initiated for the first time; also requires submitting a statement giving facts and explanations of reasons for each item requested.