House Sponsors: DART-LANG-LYONS,JOSEPH-SCOTT AND BUGIELSKI. Short description: OPEN BUDGETS ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Illinois Open Budgets Act. Provides that the Governor shall present a State budget to the General Assembly on the first Wednesday in March of each year. Specifies elements to be included in the budget. Provides that each State agency, State college and university, and public and quasi-public corporation shall submit, by January 1, a budget request for the next fiscal year. Provides that the Bureau of the Budget and the Economic and Fiscal Commission shall produce, by January 15, a revenue estimate for the next fiscal year. Provides that the Governor shall submit recommended appropriations with the budget. Creates a Budget Advisory Panel to oversee development of accountability reports (and repeals language in the Civil Administrative Code pertaining to a Budget Advisory Panel). Creates an Open Budget Conference to approve certain forms and procedures. Repeals language in the State Finance Act regarding preparation and introduction of appropriation bills. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (Bureau of Budget) The major financial issue raised by HB 37 is the requirement that the Budget maintain sufficient balances to pay all Section 25 liabilities.The Comptroller reports FY96 Section 25 liabili- ties of $888.5 M. Assuming these grow with the budget, HB 37 would require the Governor to recommend a FY98 balance of approximately $975 M rather than $400 M and to reduce appro- priations for programs by approximately $575 M. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status