CHAPTER 431
FORMERLY
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION DIRECTING THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WITH THE COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE OF THE JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES, PROCEED FORTHWITH TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMMATIC BUDGETING PROCEDURES, COMMENCING WITH FISCAL YEAR 1982 AND TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES IN THE ACCOUNTING PRACTICES TO ACCOMMPLISH THIS OBJECTIVE.
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware has adopted zero-based budgeting, and the Delaware Code has been amended accordingly to reflect the requirements; and
WHEREAS, all State agencies/departments, except public school districts, utilized zero-based budgeting techniques in the preparation of fiscal year 1981 operating budget; and
WHEREAS, zero-based budgeting lends itself to allocating total funds and/or resources at each activity or service level within each budget unit; and
WHEREAS, legislation was introduced in the 129th General Assembly and re-introduced in the 130th General Assembly relating to the adoption of total funds appropriation; and
WHEREAS, the "Governor's Recommended Budget for fiscal year 1981 and Financial Report for fiscal years 1979 and 1980", issued by the Executive Branch reports budgetary information in zero-based budget format, as well as total funds for each budget unit; and
WHEREAS, the budgetary information submitted by State agencies/departments in zero based budget format for fiscal year 1981 did not provide adequate programmatic budgetary information and/or detail; and
WHEREAS, the Joint Finance Committee of the General Assembly has expressed the need for more program analysis and related information that would aid in the evaluation of the agency's performance; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide such programmatic information and/or detail, it is necessary to make appropriate changes in the State's accounting and computer program systems and procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Branch is responsible under the Delaware Code for the initiation of requests from all State agencies/departments for the fiscal year's operating budget, as well as the preparation of the Budget Appropriation Bill to be submitted to the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the Executive branch must have the cooperation and support of the Judicial and Legislative Branches of Government to accomplish the implementation of programmatic budgeting using zero-based budgeting techniques.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 130th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that :
(1) The Executive Branch of Government shall proceed forthwith in the implementation of programmatic budgeting, using zero-based budgeting techniques, in the fiscal year 1982 operating budget, beginning with a division in the Department of Health and Social Services and another cabinet department selected by the Budget Director. Other departments/agencies will be phased into programmatic budgeting in subsequent fiscal years' operating budget cycles.
(2) The Executive Branch shall undertake promptly a feasibility study of making appropriate changes in the accounting and computer program systems to accomodate the implementation of programmatic budgeting. Findings and conclusions of such feasibility study, including costs of implementation and benefits to the State, shall be reported to the members of the 131st General Assembly on or before March 15, 1981. The Judicial and Legislative Branches of Government shall cooperate and assist the Executive Branch in making the feasibility study and, upon request by the Executive Branch, representatives having the professional skills will participate in the feasibility study.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Joint Resolution be sent without delay to the Governor, the Chief Justice, the President Pro Tempore, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor, the Insurance Commissioner, the Treasurer, the Auditor and the Attorney General of the State of Delaware.
Approved July 11, 1980.