Section 1 [Forecast Parameters] sets the estimated expenditures in the November forecast at zero dollars for certain executive branch agencies, excluding appropriations in statute. The agencies subject to this are determined by a schedule in a later section of the bill. This section sets the estimated expenditures in the February forecast at zero dollars for agencies if the estimate was set at zero for the preceding November forecast under this section. These requirements do not apply to forecasted expenditures in the current biennium, but do apply to the forecasted expenditures in the next two biennia.

Section 2 [Part Two; Detailed Budget] sets the base at zero dollars for purposes of the governor’s detailed budget recommendations for certain agencies, determined by a schedule in a later section of the bill, for appropriations that are not statutory. Requires the commissioner of management and budget to display the base in tables and the narrative of the governor’s detailed budget recommendations.

Section 3 [Zero-Based Budgeting]

Subdivision 1 [Zero-based budget] requires an agency to use zero-based budgeting in preparing the proposed budget in November of the “scheduled year” for that agency.  Requires the commissioner of management and budget to provide technical assistance and to adopt policies and procedures for implementing zero-based budgeting. This section defines “zero-based budgeting” as a method of determining the budget of an agency for which the budget is deemed to have been zero and each proposed expenditure must be justified as if it were a new expenditure.

Subdivision 2 [Zero-based budget plan] lists information an agency must include in a zero-based budget plan.

Subdivision 3 [Scheduled year] sets the “scheduled year” for each agency to conduct zero-based budgeting.