S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1896

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            January 14, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. MORELLE, GALEF -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
  BRENNAN, CHRISTENSEN, COOK, DESTITO, ESPAILLAT, GANTT, GIANARIS, HOYT,
  KOON, MILLMAN -- read once and referred to the  Committee  on  Govern-
  mental Operations

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  legislative law, in relation to creation of the
  legislative budget office

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. The legislative law is amended by adding a new article 5-C
to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 5-C
                        LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE
SECTION 88-K. NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE.
        88-L. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE NON-PARTISAN  LEGISLATIVE  BUDGET
               OFFICE.
  S  88-K.  NON-PARTISAN  LEGISLATIVE  BUDGET  OFFICE.  THERE  IS HEREBY
CREATED A NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE.
  S 88-L. POWERS AND  DUTIES  OF  THE  NON-PARTISAN  LEGISLATIVE  BUDGET
OFFICE.    1.  THE  NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE SHALL PERFORM
BUDGET ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE THE FUNDING LEVELS NECESSARY TO THE  OPERA-
TION  OF  GOVERNMENTAL  DEPARTMENTS  AND PROGRAMS AND RENDER ANTICIPATED
REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR. SUCH REVENUE ESTIMATES SHALL  BE
USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING BUDGET EXPENDITURES.
  2.  THE  DIRECTOR  OF THE NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE SHALL
EXAMINE AND REVIEW ALL  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  OF  THE  STATE  FOR  THE
PURPOSE  OF  RENDERING REVENUE ESTIMATES USED IN DETERMINING WHETHER THE
PROPOSED STATE BUDGET IS BALANCED.
  3. THE NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE SHALL  BE  HEADED  BY  A
DIRECTOR  WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS. HE OR SHE SHALL  DEVOTE  HIS  OR  HER
FULL  TIME AND EFFORT TO THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR AND HE OR SHE SHALL HOLD

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD04929-01-9
              

A. 1896                             2

NO OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE. THE DIRECTOR SHALL RECEIVE SUCH COMPENSATION  AS
MAY  BE  FIXED  BY THE OFFICE. THE DIRECTOR MAY APPOINT BUDGET ANALYSTS,
ASSISTANTS AND SUCH OTHER EMPLOYEES AS HE OR SHE MAY DEEM  NECESSARY  OR
DESIRABLE,  PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES AND FIX THEIR COMPENSATION WITHIN THE
AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED AND MADE AVAILABLE THEREFOR.
  4. THE NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE SHALL  BE  CHARGED  WITH
THE DUTY OF RENDERING ANTICIPATED REVENUE FORECAST REPORTS TO THE LEGIS-
LATURE  AND THE GOVERNOR FOR THE PURPOSES OF FACILITATING PASSAGE OF THE
STATE BUDGET IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE  DIRECTOR  MAY  REQUEST  AND  SHALL
RECEIVE  FROM ALL PUBLIC OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES
OF THE STATE AND ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, SUCH ASSISTANCE AND DATA AS
SHALL BE NECESSARY TO PROJECT ANTICIPATED STATE REVENUES  FOR  BUDGETARY
PURPOSES.
  5. THE NON-PARTISAN LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE SHALL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
IN DETERMINING THE FISCAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
  6.  THE  NON-PARTISAN  LEGISLATIVE  BUDGET  OFFICE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE
STATE LEGISLATURE WRITTEN ESTIMATES OF  ANTICIPATED  STATE  REVENUES  ON
JANUARY FIFTEENTH, APRIL FIFTEENTH, JULY FIFTEENTH AND OCTOBER FIFTEENTH
OF EACH YEAR.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.