Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-03-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-03-24 House Journal Page 3058 HB 541 HOUSE BILL NO. 541 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to consideration by the legislature of the executive budget and other bills affecting appropriations; and providing for an effective date." 2004-03-24 House Journal Page 3059 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee, the House Special Committee on Ways & Means, and the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Office of the Governor/All Depts. The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 22, 2004, follows: "Dear Speaker Kott: Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to consideration by the Legislature of the executive budget and other bills affecting appropriations. This bill was modeled on the "pay-as-you-go" provisions of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act, 2 U.S.C. 633(g). The pay-as-you-go principle is now commonly referred to as the "Gramm- Rudman" process. The purpose of the bill is to formalize the pay-as- you-go concept within the state's Executive Budget Act, AS 37.07. On occasion, it has been the practice of the Legislature to require that budget amendments be offset with cuts elsewhere in the budget or that there be a corresponding measure to increase revenue. I strongly support the pay-as-you-go principle. The reality of our budget situation makes fiscal restraint a necessity. Under this bill, a budget amendment that would result in an increased appropriation would not be in order before the Legislature unless there were other measures available to offset the increased spending caused by the amendment. The concept is simple and workable if the Legislature embraces it. The bill also proposes changes in the fiscal note process to require the proponent of a bill that would cause the increase of an appropriation to also propose a cost savings or revenue enhancement measure to offset the increase. 2004-03-24 House Journal Page 3060 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor"