"Zero-Based Budget Act;" requires State Treasurer to develop and integrate certain zero-based budgeting practices and procedures in preparation and submission of Governor's annual budget message.

This bill (A 1497) requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to develop and implement a zero-based budgeting process for the Governor's annual budget. It directly affects all state spending agencies (like departments and commissions) by mandating they justify every funding request from scratch - not based on prior year spending - starting with the 2020 fiscal year. Key provisions require agencies to submit detailed justifications including goals, cost estimates for current and minimum service levels, stakeholder impacts, and comparisons with similar programs. The process must be fully integrated into the budget preparation by July 1, 2020, as outlined in the bill's requirements for agency submissions. The bill is pending before the Assembly Budget Committee.