State Budget Process
The Georgia Constitution requires the state to have a balanced budget. In state policymaking, the budget is among the most vital pieces of legislation to pass each year. It is an appropriations bill that starts and ends with the governor. Georgia’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The budget process is year-round and requires input from all agencies.
General Timeline for the “Big Budget” Process
The Big Budget takes effect the following fiscal year.
June
Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) sends budget request instructions to state agencies
September
Agencies submit their budget proposals
December
OPB analyzes budget requests and finalizes the governor’s proposed budget
January
Governor presents budget recommendations to the General Assembly.
Governor sets a revenue estimate for the year based on information from economic advisers that establishes how much money the state can plan on spending during the year
General Assembly must finalize the current fiscal year’s Supplemental Budget, or Amended Budget, before work begins on the Big Budget.
Note: The Supplemental Budget amends or revises the budget for the current fiscal year and applies only to the final quarter April – June. The amended budget adjusts the current budget to reflect spending or changed needs.
During legislative session
Budget bill originates in House
Legislature deliberates on budget
House passes its budget bill, sends to Senate
Senate passes its budget bill, sends to the House
By 40th day of legislative session
House and Senate negotiate on appropriations bill and must come to agreement before 40th day ends.
Legislature passes bill and sends to the governor
Within 40 days of the last day of session
Governor signs appropriations bill
Note: Governor can veto items in the budget
Agencies are given operating budget instructions and prepare their annual operating budgets for July 1.
July 1
New fiscal year begins.
Budget process begins for the next fiscal year.
Resources on the State Budget Process
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, Budget process chart
Georgia House of Representatives Budget Office
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Current Budget Documents: Governor's Recommendations, House Versions, Senate Versions
