Relates to the sufficiency of itemization in the state budget; requires budget bills to clearly reference the section in the accompanying bill or bills where the corresponding appropriation or reappropriation can be located and requires that the legislature not act upon bills that neglect to do so.
Creates the non-partisan legislative budget office; directs such office shall provide information to legislative committees of the senate and assembly with respect to the state budget, appropriation bills and other bills providing budget authority or tax expenditures; requires such office to report to the temporary president of the senate, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the assembly and the assembly minority leader.
Provides that the Governor's annual budget proposal to the Legislature shall include statements of any new legislation, amendment to legislation, or limitation on the effect of any legislation contained in the budget; makes related provisions granting the legislature an equal role with the governor in the budget process.
Establishes the position of member of the legislature as a part-time, volunteer position in the service of the state; provides that state legislators shall receive no salary, or any other compensation or benefit from the state; authorizes the payment of travel expenses and per diem for days the legislature is in session, provides that per diem is limited to 30 days per annum; provides that the legislature shall convene in regular session only on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February; accelerates the state budget process so that the state budget is enacted on or before the last Sunday of February each year.
Enacts the "utility billing integrity act" to establish utility billing integrity and consumer protections through anomaly detection, advanced data analytics and the usage of artificial intelligence; requires every utility to implement and maintain a billing integrity program utilizing anomaly detection systems to review all residential utility bills prior to issuance; provides that where a billing anomaly is identified, the utility shall provide prompt notice to the customer that the bill is under review.
Requires state agencies to expend funds no later than ninety days after receipt of a certificate of approval from the director of the budget; reduces the budget of an agency that violates such requirement for the upcoming fiscal year by 1% of the amount of the late award.