"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 requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to develop a zero-based budget process for the Governor's annual budget. It directly affects all state spending agencies (like departments and commissions) that submit budget requests, mandating they justify each dollar of funding annually from scratch - without assuming prior spending levels. Key provisions include requiring agencies to detail goals, costs at different service levels, stakeholder impacts, legal authority, and priority rankings for every program. The process aims to ensure every tax dollar is justified based on current needs and effectiveness, rather than incremental increases from previous budgets. The bill was introduced in 2024 but references a 2011-2012 implementation timeline in its original text.