Requires the state budget presented to the legislature by the governor to include total appropriations for each program area, expending agency, and means of financing; further provides for reporting requirements to the legislature prior to the convening of session. (HB1245 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the appropriations contained in the state executive budget have major policy implications affecting the lives of the citizens of this state. It essentially allocates limited resources to many deserving programs benefitting various segments of our community. At the same time, however, the public lacks information about the details of the executive budget as it is reviewed, amended, debated, and finalized during the legislative session.

The purpose of this Act is to require that the proposed executive budget submitted by the governor, as well as each draft as it moves through the legislative process, include appropriate budget summaries to the public to ascertain total appropriations for each program area, expending agency, and means of financing, as well as a grand total that encompasses the entire executive budget.

SECTION 2. Every executive budget submitted by the governor to the legislature pursuant to article VII, section 8, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, and every subsequent draft of the bill, shall summarize the following:

SECTION 3. The department of budget and finance shall submit the required summary of the proposed executive budget to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon on its approval.