Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1105

Introduced
4/3/25  

Caption

Providing for zero-based budgeting.

Impact

If implemented, HB1105 would significantly modify how state budgets are developed and reviewed. The act mandates that approximately 20% of the state budget undergo a zero-based review each year starting in 2026. This means that agencies will need to provide detailed plans which include justifications for each program's existence, potential negative impacts of discontinuation, and various expenditure estimates necessary for maintaining services. This transformation is expected to streamline governmental operations by eliminating inefficiencies and focusing resources on effective programs.

Summary

House Bill 1105, also known as the Zero-Based Budgeting Act, proposes a systematic approach to budgeting for state programs by requiring a zero-based review every five years. The legislation aims to address the limitations of the traditional incremental budgeting method, which often leads to the maintenance of outdated programs without thorough justification. By mandating that state agencies justify their budgets from scratch rather than merely adjusting last year's figures, the bill seeks to enhance fiscal accountability and transparency in state spending.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1105 is generally positive among fiscal conservatives and proponents of government efficiency, who view it as a necessary reform to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. However, there may be concerns from some stakeholders regarding the potential disruption this comprehensive review process could cause. Some may perceive it as an overload for agencies already managing tight budgets and the necessity to provide comprehensive justifications.

Contention

While supporters anticipate that zero-based budgeting will enhance the scrutiny of state financials and eliminate obsolete programs, critics argue that the process could lead to significant challenges for agencies that may lack the resources to effectively present their case. The ongoing discourse around the bill reflects a broader debate about how best to ensure accountability in public spending while also allowing state agencies to function efficiently and respond to changing public needs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1133

Providing for zero-based budgeting.

PA SB1222

Providing for zero-based budgeting relating to the Commonwealth's budget review.

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

PA HB1438

Providing for preliminary provisions, for taxation, for fiscal affairs and for Commonwealth budget procedures; establishing the Joint Revenue Estimation Committee and the Performance-based Incentive Account; and making repeals.

PA HB1574

Providing for State-related university performance-based funding incentive.

PA HB2277

Further providing for definitions; providing for force majeure; further providing for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states, for health and safety standards and for interagency responsibilities; providing for zero emission credits; and making editorial changes.

PA SB1190

Further providing for definitions; providing for force majeure; further providing for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states, for health and safety standards and for interagency responsibilities; providing for zero emission credits; and making editorial changes.

PA SB1287

Further providing for short title, for definitions and for alternative energy portfolio standards; providing for Zero Emissions Carbon Certificate Program, for solar photovoltaic technology requirements and for decarbonization; and establishing the ZEC Fund.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB883

In boards and offices, providing for information technology; establishing the Office of Information Technology and the Information Technology Fund; providing for administrative and procurement procedures and for the Joint Cybersecurity Oversight Committee; imposing duties on the Office of Information Technology; providing for administration of Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.