85R538 CJC-D By: Perry, Bettencourt S.B. No. 272 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to zero-based budgeting for state agencies as part of the sunset review process. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 325.007, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 325.007. AGENCY REPORT TO COMMISSION; ZERO-BASED BUDGET. SECTION 2. Section 325.007, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: (c) Before November 1 of the odd-numbered year before the year in which a state agency subject to this chapter is abolished, the agency shall present to the commission a zero-based budget for the state fiscal biennium that begins on the date the agency is scheduled to be abolished that contains: (1) a description of the discrete activities the agency is charged with conducting or performing, together with a justification for each activity by reference to a statute or other legal authority; (2) for each activity identified under Subdivision (1), a quantitative estimate of any adverse effects that reasonably may be expected to result if the activity were discontinued, together with a description of the methods by which the adverse effects were estimated; (3) for each activity identified under Subdivision (1), an itemized account of expenditures required to maintain the activity at the minimum level of service required by the statute or other legal authority, together with a concise statement of the quantity and quality of service required at that minimum level; (4) for each activity identified under Subdivision (1), an itemized account of expenditures required to maintain the activity at the current level of service, together with a concise statement of the quantity and quality of service provided at that level; and (5) a ranking of activities identified under Subdivision (1) that illustrates the relative importance of each activity to the overall goals and purposes of the agency at current service levels. (d) A state agency shall submit the zero-based budget required under Subsection (c) to the Legislative Budget Board as part of the agency's legislative appropriations request for the state fiscal biennium that begins on the date the agency is scheduled to be abolished. SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply in relation to the review by the Sunset Advisory Commission of agencies scheduled to be abolished on or after September 1, 2021, if not continued in accordance with Chapter 325, Government Code, and in relation to any other agencies that by law are reviewed during those review periods by the Sunset Advisory Commission. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.