Establishes process for submittal and publication of proposed revisions to Governor's budget recommendations and requires publication of proposals by June 1 annually.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Holly Schepisi

S.3855 creates a formal, published process for lawmakers and the State Treasurer to propose and disclose changes to the Governor’s budget by June 1 each year.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

Summary of Bill S. 3855 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

S. 3855 aims to increase transparency in the preparation of New Jersey’s annual state budget. It establishes a formal, published process for members of the Legislature and the State Treasurer to propose revisions to the Governor’s budget recommendations, with a specific publication deadline of June 1 each year.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of budget resolutions process: The chairs of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee must accept budget resolutions from any senator, assembly member, and the State Treasurer that propose changes to revenues, line-items, or language in the Governor’s budget recommendations.

Submission and publication requirements: Budget resolutions must be filed with the respective committee and delivered to the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer. Resolutions must detail:

Each proposed revenue change, line-item modification, or language change.
A statement explaining the proposed changes and the reasons for them.
A personal disclosure statement from the sponsor(s) disclosing any employment or business relationships with entities that would receive increased funding.

Public access timeline: The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly must establish a submission schedule that ensures budget resolutions are filed and made publicly available on the Legislature’s website no later than June 1 each year.

Limitations on filing: No budget resolution may be filed or delivered after June 1.

Budget bill constraint: Any annual appropriations bill passed by the Legislature must include only items from the Governor’s budget recommendations plus changes proposed in the filed and public budget resolutions.

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

Legislature: Senators and Assembly members (via their ability to file budget resolutions) and the Budget Committees (which manage the process).

State Treasurer: Can propose changes through budget resolutions and must participate in the process.

Public/Transparency beneficiaries: Residents and watchdog groups gain timely access to proposed revisions and sponsor disclosures via the Legislature’s website.

Budget proponents/recipients: Entities that would be affected by proposed increases or decreases in funding will be more quickly identifiable through disclosures.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill codifies a June 1 publication deadline for all budget resolutions each year.

It uses a formal process for filing with the Budget Committees and disclosure requirements.

It mandates public posting on the Legislature’s Internet website, enhancing public scrutiny before final passage of the annual appropriations bill.

The act is effective immediately upon enactment, with ongoing annual implementation.

Overall impact

S. 3855 seeks to strengthen fiscal transparency and accountability by ensuring timely,(pre-enactment) public access to proposed changes to the Governor’s budget, who proposes them, and potential conflicts of interest. It limits late-year post hoc publication and aligns legislative budget revision activity with a clear June 1 deadline.