An Act relative to zero-based budgeting and budget transparency

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to develop new budgets every four years starting from zero, meaning each funding request must be justified independently without reference to prior appropriations. The budget must include specific goals, tasks, and performance measures for each agency, and will undergo public review through a 30-day testimony period and legislative committee hearings. The legislature's Ways and Means committees will then create a joint resolution based on this review, which, if adopted, will guide annual budget decisions for the next four years. This process aims to increase transparency and cost-effectiveness by ensuring all funding requests are evaluated on their merits.