The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Martha Hess.
DIGEST
SB 63 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Crowe
Present law provides that the division of administration shall submit a budget status report monthly
to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB) which shall indicate the balance of the
budget for the state general fund and dedicated funds by comparing the official forecast for these
funds to the total authorized appropriations from each fund.
Present law provides that the budget status report shall include a section describing any issues which
materially affect the budgetary soundness of the state but which are not required to be fully addressed
during the current fiscal year. The division of administration, after consultation with the Legislative
Fiscal Office, shall prepare a description of each such issue. The description of such issues shall be
submitted to the Legislative Fiscal Office at least one week prior to each meeting of the JLCB.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that the budget status report shall include a
section with a report of federal revenues associated with the support of state assistance programs
received by the state and describing any issues which may materially affect the budgetary soundness
of the state during the current fiscal year. The division of administration, after consultation with the
Legislative Fiscal Office, shall prepare a description of each such issue. The description of such
issues shall be submitted to the Legislative Fiscal Office at least one week prior to each meeting of
the JLCB.
Present law provides that if the budget status report indicates that the total appropriation from any
fund will exceed the official forecast for that fund, the JLCB shall immediately notify the governor
that a projected deficit exists for that fund.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that if the budget status report indicates that there is
a decrease in the receipt of federal revenues associated with the support of a state assistance program,
the JLCB shall immediately notify the governor that a projected deficit exists for that fund or
program.
Proposed law provides that a decrease in the receipt of federal revenues associated with the support
of a state assistance program means a decrease in federal financial participation in a state assistance
program caused by an action of the United States Congress or by an action by the United States
government which decreases the federal financial participation to a state assistance program in the
amount of one percent or more.
Present law provides that upon receiving notification that a projected deficit exists, the governor
shall have interim budget balancing powers to adjust the budget.
Proposed law retains present law and provides the governor shall also have interim budget balancing powers to adjust the budget upon receiving notification that there is a decrease in the receipt of
federal revenues associated with the support of a state assistance program in the current fiscal year.
Present law provides that if the official forecast of recurring money for the next fiscal year is at least
one percent less than the official forecast of recurring money for the current fiscal year, the governor
and the legislature may employ certain methods and procedures in the development of the state
budget for the next fiscal year for the purpose of avoiding a budget deficit in the next fiscal year.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that the governor and the legislature may employ
certain methods and procedures in the development of the state budget for the next fiscal year for
the purpose of avoiding a budget deficit in the next fiscal year, if there is a projected decrease in the
receipt of federal revenues associated with the support of state assisted programs in the next fiscal
year.
Proposed law provides that the projected decrease in federal revenues associated with state assistance
programs shall be incorporated into the continuation and five-year baseline budget projection as
presented to the JLCB.
Section 1 of the Act which authorizes the reduction of certain appropriations or allocations if there
is a decrease or projected decrease in federal revenues associated with state assistance programs,
becomes effective if and when the proposed amendment of Article VII, Section 10 of the
Constitution of Louisiana contained in the Act which originated as SB of the 2015 RS is
adopted at the statewide election to be held on October 24, 2015, and becomes effective. Sections
2 and 3 of the Act, which are the effective date provisions, become effective on July 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 39:75(A)(4), (B), (C)(intro para), and (E)(intro para); adds R.S. 39: 75(F))