GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL - 6832

The Governor's Budget and related budget bill are presented annually to the Legislature on January 10th. Following the formal submission of the budget, LAO prepares its analysis of the projects included in the budget bill. The results of this analysis are usually published the third week of February. Using the findings of the LAO and any independent subcommittee analysis, the Legislature then conducts formal hearings involving the LAO, DOF, departments, and agencies, as appropriate. During this time, it is the client department’s responsibility to work closely with DOF to answer legislative questions on proposed projects. Based on the outcome of these hearings, the Legislature revises the Senate and Assembly versions of the budget bills. The Budget Conference Committee is held to resolve differences between these versions, and a single bill is passed by both houses and sent to the Governor. After making line item vetoes, the Governor signs this bill.  The final product is referred to as the Budget Act.