DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Harris HB No. 437
Abstract: Requires the Revenue Estimating Conference's official forecast to include a
projection of all state general fund, self-generated revenues, and statutorily dedicated
funds; requires the REC to designate certain funds as nonrecurring; and provides for
limitations on appropriations.
REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE
Present law sets forth requirements relative to the expenditure of state funds and establishes the
Revenue Estimating Conference to prepare and publish initial and revised estimates of money to
be received by the state general fund and dedicated funds for the current and next fiscal years
which are available for appropriation, the most recent of which is called the official forecast. In
each estimate, the REC must also designate money as nonrecurring. Money not designated as
nonrecurring is designated recurring. Proposed law retains present law and adds that the REC
shall include a forecast of all funds as defined in Article VII, Section 10(J) of the Constitution of
Louisiana, with an estimate of money available for appropriation from each dedicated fund.
Proposed law also provides that the REC must designate as nonrecurring, money available for
appropriation from any source that has not been available for the preceding two fiscal years or
which will not be available for the succeeding two fiscal years. (R.S. 39:24(A))
EXECUTIVE BUDGET
Present law requires the governor to prepare an executive budget to include recommendations for
appropriations from the state general fund and dedicated funds which shall not exceed the official
forecast of the REC. Proposed law retains present law and provides that the executive budget
shall not include recommendations for appropriations from any fund in excess of the official
forecast of money available for appropriation from that fund. (R.S. 39:34(A))
APPROPRIATION BILLS
Present law requires, after submitting his executive budget, that the governor then cause to be
introduced a General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for the ordinary operating expenditures in
conformity with the budget estimate. Proposed law retains this provision and provides that the
general appropriation bill and other appropriation bills shall not appropriate any funds which are
not part of the official REC forecast. (R.S. 39:51(A))
EXPENDITURE OF STATE FUNDS Present law provides that appropriations from the state general fund and dedicated funds shall
not exceed the official forecast. Proposed law retains present law and also specifies that
unless otherwise provided by present law permitting the use and transfer of funds to avoid a
projected deficit, the amount appropriated out of any fund shall not exceed the official forecast
of money available for appropriation from that fund. (R.S. 39:54(A))
Effective on July 1, 2013.
(Amends R.S. 39:24(A), 34(A), 51(A) and 54(A))