An Act To Require All State Agencies To Provide A Zero-Based Budget Once Every 10 Years

LD 1521 requires all Maine state agencies (including Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments) to justify every program and activity from scratch using zero-based budgeting once every 10 years, starting with the 2027-28 fiscal budget. During non-zero-based years, agencies must submit budget recommendations including 5% and 10% funding reduction scenarios. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services must review state budget laws by January 2026 to enable this system and propose necessary statutory changes. This policy shifts budgeting from incremental adjustments to requiring full justification of all spending every decade.