Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB201

Introduced
2/1/23  

Caption

A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.

Impact

The adoption of this bill is expected to lead to significant changes in how federal agencies plan and execute their budgets, compelling them to prioritize essential programs while evaluating and potentially cutting less critical ones. By introducing a systematic analysis of each agency’s expenditures, SB201 aims to reduce governmental waste and improve the overall fiscal health of the nation. The required evaluations may contribute to a more informed dialogue regarding budget allocations and the effectiveness of spending initiatives across various departments.

Summary

SB201 aims to implement a system of zero-based budgeting for federal agencies, requiring them to reassess their budgets every six years. This legislative approach mandates that agencies prepare a budget that starts from a 'zero base', meaning they must justify their funding needs from scratch rather than adjusting previous budgets. The bill emphasizes the need for fiscal accountability and strategic resource allocation by compelling agencies to scrutinize their objectives, operations, and costs, thereby encouraging more efficient government spending.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise regarding the potential backlash from federal agencies that may consider this move as an encroachment on their autonomy and operational flexibility. Critics may argue that the focus on zero-based budgeting might undermine the ability of agencies to respond to emerging needs and crises effectively. Additionally, there are concerns that the requirement for budget cuts as proposed—at least a 2% reduction from previous appropriations—could lead to the downsizing of valuable programs, which could negatively impact the services provided to citizens.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB181

This bill requires federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets to the Office of Management and Budget and the congressional budget committees. Under the bill, a zero-based budget is a systematic budget analysis in which managers (1) examine current objectives, operations, and costs; (2) consider alternative ways of carrying out programs or activities; and (3) rank different programs or activities by order of importance.The bill also requires federal agencies to submit recommendations to reduce spending by at least 2% from the previous year's levels. The Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exempt from this requirement.

US HB261

Article I Regulatory Budget Act This bill requires the establishment of a federal regulatory budget to limit the costs of federal regulations. It also establishes requirements for disclosing the projected costs of federal regulations and procedures for enforcing the regulatory budget.

US SB177

Zero Food Waste Act

US HB432

Buy Low and Sell High Act This bill revises requirements concerning the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and sets forth provisions to reduce the demand for petroleum fuel and increase fuel supply. For example, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish within the SPR an Economic Petroleum Reserve of up to 350 million barrels of crude oil. DOE must also establish a national network of Strategic Refined Petroleum Product Reserves to store up to 250 million barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel, which may be sold when there is a severe fuel supply interruption within the district in which the reserve is located. In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of barrels of petroleum distillate that may be stored in the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve from two million to four million. It also establishes limits on the sale and exportation of petroleum products from such reserves. Further, the bill establishes provisions concerning electrifying the transportation sector, zero-emission vehicles, and a program to increase the amount of crude oil refined in oil refineries in certain countries in the Western Hemisphere.

US HB438

True Cost Act This bill requires the President's annual budget submission to Congress to include estimates of the cost per individual taxpayer for (1) the public debt, and (2) any projected budget deficit for a fiscal year.

US SB89

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.

US HB482

Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023 This bill establishes activities to address wildfires. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to establish spatial fire management plans before the end of FY2026. The bill establishes accounts in the Treasury for addressing wildfires, a program to train and certify citizens who wish to be able to volunteer to assist USDA or Interior during a wildland fire incident, a program to award grants to eligible states or units of local government to acquire slip-on tank and pump units for a surge capacity of resources for fire suppression, the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the management of wildfire-related invasive species, and the Management of Wildfire-Related Invasive Species Technology Advisory Board. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reimburse a state or federal agency for the costs of wildfire suppression as a result of a fire caused by DOD activity, requires the Joint Fire Science Program to work with unmanned aircraft test ranges to carry out research and development of unmanned aircraft system fire applications, requires federal and state disaster preparedness programs to include postdisaster assistance, and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postfire recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a wildland fire.

US HB858

PAYSTUB Act Presidential Accountability for Yearly Submission of The United States’ Budget Act

US HB300

Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2023 This bill requires executive agencies to submit information regarding settlement agreements to a public database. Specifically, an agency must submit information regarding any settlement agreement (including a consent decree) entered into by the agency related to an alleged violation of federal law. If an agency determines that information regarding an agreement must remain confidential to protect the public interest, the agency must publish an explanation of why the information is confidential.

US SB74

Providing for Life Act of 2023 This bill revises various programs and supports for families and children related to taxes, health, and other benefits. First, the bill increases the child tax credit to a maximum of $3,500 per child ($4,500 per child under the age of six) and makes permanent the increased income threshold over which the credit phases out. The bill further eliminates the federal deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT deduction) and makes the adoption tax credit refundable. The bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, the bill requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cooperate with states in establishing child support orders. It also provides additional workforce training for noncustodial parents with child support obligations. States must establish requirements for the biological father of a child to pay, at the mother's request, at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with the mother's pregnancy and delivery. The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide students with certain information about the resources and services (excluding abortion services) available to pregnant students. Additionally, the bill provides grants for community-based maternal mentoring programs and for pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortions; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a website with specified pregnancy-related information; and extends from one to two years the postpartum benefit eligibility period under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.