A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by amending Section 12 of Article IV thereof, relating to the state budget.

Existing provisions of the California Constitution prohibit the Legislature from sending to the Governor for consideration, and prohibit the Governor from signing, a Budget Bill that would appropriate from the General Fund a total amount that, when combined with specified appropriations and transfers, exceeds General Fund revenues for that fiscal year estimated as of the date of the Budget Bill's passage. This measure would require that the estimate of the General Fund revenues described above be made by the Controller. The measure would require the Controller, within 3 days after a Budget Bill is submitted to the Governor, to certify whether the Budget Bill meets the above requirement regarding appropriations from the General Fund. The Governor would be prohibited from signing a Budget Bill that the Controller certifies as not meeting that requirement unless the Governor reduces or eliminates items of appropriation in the bill and the Controller certifies that the bill, as adjusted, meets that requirement. This measure would prohibit either house of the Legislature from adjourning for a recess after sending a Budget Bill to the Governor until the Controller has provided the certification described above.