HB297 Summary

• Establishes biennial budgeting system for Alabama with State General Fund budgets in even-numbered fiscal years and Education Trust Fund budgets in odd-numbered fiscal years, with annual fiscal accounting and performance review requirements.

• Requires Department of Finance to produce monthly financial reports on at least the State General Fund and Education Trust Fund, released no later than the final day of the month following the reporting period, detailing revenues, expenditures, forecasts, and fund balances.

• Implements alternate-year budget cycles beginning in 2021, with general legislative sessions in January and limited fiscal sessions in April (12 legislative days, 35 calendar days) focused exclusively on revenue and appropriations bills for the two-year period.

• Creates Division of Planning within the Department of Finance and requires all state agencies to submit performance reports by November 1 evaluating accomplishments, costs, program effectiveness, and administrative improvements.

• Increases criminal penalties for providing false budget or fiscal information to legislative committees from $1,000 to $10,000 fine and up to one year in county jail, with permanent ineligibility for state employment upon second conviction; effectiveness contingent on constitutional amendment approval in statewide referendum.