SB 5066: Concerning state budgeting through zero-based budget reviews.

SB 5066 establishes the zero-based budget review process to provide more thorough analyses of the programs and services provided by state agencies and to better prioritize the expenditure of public resources. Zero-based budgeting is a process that is designed to control expenditures by identifying the purposes of, and measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of, all activities. Traditional budgeting would provide a line-item process where only incremental spending is usually considered. Unlike traditional budgeting, which is based on budget history, no item is automatically included in the next budget in zero-based budgeting. This bill would establish a zero-based budget review process in the state of Washington. The Legislature may specify in the Omnibus Operating Appropriations Act, or other legislation, certain programs for which agencies must perform a zero-based budget review.