Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC)

Revision Date: 
Thursday, October 1, 2015

Agency Contact Information

Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Authority

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee was established in 1966. Statutory authority for JLBC is found at A.R.S. §§ 41-1271 et seq.

Function

The JLBC is a statutory committee of the Legislature, made up of 16 members of the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives. The JLBC appoints a Budget Analyst (Director) who is authorized to hire staff. The Director provides recommendations to the Legislature regarding the state budget, revenues, expenditures, revenue projections, tax structure and future fiscal needs. JLBC staff also prepares fiscal notes which reflect the fiscal impact of proposed legislation.

JLBC staff is nonpartisan, serves the Joint Legislative Budget Committee members, Senate and House leadership, and members at large. JLBC Staff provides an analysis of the Governor's proposed budget; supports the Joint Committee on Capital Review; prepares recommendations for the state budget; provides tax, fiscal and economic analysis, provides support for appropriations bills for legislative consideration; and prepares various reports including the Appropriations Report which outlines budgetary details and statements of legislative intent for each completed budget. JLBC staff follows strict confidentiality requirements for requests made by legislators.

History

Two measures related to the JLBC were enacted in 1966. The first required the Governor to submit a budget to the Legislature no later than five days after the regular session convened. The budget was required to outline the proposed expenditures and estimated monies and revenue available during the ensuing fiscal year (Laws 1966, Chapter 95). The second measure established the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, consisting of 14 legislators. The JLBC was required to "ascertain facts and make recommendations to the legislature relating to the state budget, revenues and expenditures of the state, future fiscal needs, the organization and functions of state agencies." The JLBC was also required to appoint a budget analyst to serve as the staff director. The staff director was required to prepare an analysis of the Governor's budget with recommendations for revisions in expenditures (Laws 1966, Chapter 96). A conditional enactment required both measures to pass in order to become effective.

Laws 1979, Chapter 187 required the JLBC to establish a system of fiscal notes in order to identify bills introduced in the Legislature having a fiscal impact and to describe the impact on cities, counties, and other political subdivisions of the state.

Laws 1982, Chapter 157 increased the number of JLBC members from 14 to 16.

Laws 1993, Chapter 252 required JLBC staff, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, to provide a report containing an estimate of the appropriations limit established by the Arizona Constitution for the following fiscal year. A second report reflecting the total appropriated amount for the preceding and current fiscal years was also required. The first report was due by February 15 and the second report was due by November 1 of each year. Laws 1998, Chapter 241 required the reports to be published in odd-numbered years. Additional amendments were made in 2002.

Laws 1994, Chapter 366 transferred the responsibility to publish the reports required by the 1993 law to the JLBC staff director. The 1994 measure also required the JLBC staff director to recommend a list of funds to be eliminated or consolidated based on a percentage of the total number of funds in existence. The staff director was also required to recommend a list of funds to be converted from nonappropriated status to appropriated status, based on a percentage of the dollar amount of all state nonappropriated funds.

Laws 1997, Chapter 210 outlined responsibilities, requirements and procedures for program authorization reviews (PAR). The review process was enacted in order to address the efficiency and effectiveness of a program and whether its current operation was consistent with original legislative intent. The process was revised in 1999 and the strategic program area review (SPAR) was put in place. See Laws 1999, Chapter 148.

Laws 1998, Chapter 153 required JLBC to compute the truth in taxation levy for equalization assistance to school districts. The measure outlined the method to compute the taxation rate and required the rates to be transmitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the county boards of supervisors by March 15 each year.

Laws 2000, Chapter 187 required JLBC to submit the truth in taxation rates to the Legislature.

Laws 2002, Chapter 210 revised the state's budget cycles, placing the largest agencies on an annual budget cycle. The law also revised the reporting requirement for the appropriations estimate report.

Laws 2002, Chapter 289 required JLBC to analyze the state's tax structure, tax burdens and tax incentives and to implement a fiscal analysis system for proposed legislation that changed tax laws. The measure also created the Arizona Fiscal Accountability Committee and the Tax Reform for Arizona Citizens Committee. Final reports were due by September 15, 2003. JLBC staff was required to provide technical assistance to the committees.

Laws 2011, Chapter 130 required JLBC staff to present a report each year on state debt and obligations to the legislative Appropriations committees.

Laws 2012, Chapter 298 modified JLBC staff reporting responsibilities by requiring a list of funds that were statutorily deleted, newly created, or had changed appropriated status. The report was due by December 1 of each year

Laws 2013, First Special Session, Chapter 6 repealed the requirement for preparation of strategic program area reviews (SPAR).

Laws 2015, Chapter 11 required JLBC staff to report the expenditures for each state retirement system for the preceding fiscal year, including the expenditures made by the state as employer contributions.

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 41-1271 through 41-1277.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1966, Chapter 95 and Chapter 96
    • Laws 1979, Chapter 187
    • Laws 1982, Chapter 157
    • Laws 1993, Chapter 252
    • Laws 1994, Chapter 366
    • Laws 1997, Chapter 210
    • Laws 1998, Chapter 153 and Chapter 241
    • Laws 1999, Chapter 148
    • Laws 2000, Chapter 187
    • Laws 2002, Chapter 210 and Chapter 289
    • Laws 2011, Chapter 130
    • Laws 2012, Chapter 298
    • Laws 2013, First Special Session, Chapter 6
    • Laws 2015, Chapter 11

Master List of State Government Programs, January 2015.

Sunset review of the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 1999.

Related collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 97 – State Legislature