§ 9:8-b — Adoption of Operating Budget

The general court shall not adopt an operating budget for any fund, or any other legislation which provides for appropriations, which exceed the state's total estimated revenues from existing, increased, or new taxes, fees, operating income and other sources. If the estimated revenues of the state for the ensuing biennium as set forth in the budget on the basis of existing laws, plus the estimated amounts in the treasury at the close of the year in progress available for expenditure in the ensuing biennial period is less than the aggregate recommended for the ensuing biennial period as contained in the budget, the general court shall adopt a budget in which such deficit shall be met, whether by an increase in the state tax or the imposition of new taxes, increased rates on existing taxes, or otherwise; and if the aggregate of such estimated revenues, plus estimated balances in the treasury is greater than such recommended appropriations for the ensuing biennial period, the general court shall adopt a budget applying such surplus to the reduction of debt or otherwise, to the reduction in taxation, or to such other action as is in the interest of the public welfare. Such operating budget shall not use bonded indebtedness to fund operating appropriations. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the use of projected lapses in determining compliance with this section.

Legislative History

1998, 313:3, eff. Aug. 25, 1998.