NJ A4356

Requires the State Treasurer to design and implement a zero-based budget process by July 1, 2019, to be used for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2020 and thereafter, where spending agencies must justify their entire budget requests based on program goals and cost-effectiveness rather than prior year spending levels

Mandates that all state spending agencies submit detailed justifications including: statements of goals and objectives, legal authority for programs, methodology descriptions, itemized cost estimates for current and minimum service levels, and identification of affected stakeholders

Requires agencies to numerically rank and prioritize their activities, programs, and services based on capacity to fulfill stated goals, and to identify any overlapping programs administered by other governmental entities

Directs the State Treasurer to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by December 1st each year, beginning in 2020, detailing implementation progress, shortcomings, and recommended improvements to the zero-based budget process

Incorporates zero-based budget data into the Governor's annual budget message to the Legislature, making justification information publicly available for legislative and public review of proposed state spending