Bill > S05927

This bill creates a new non-partisan Legislative Budget Office (LBO) to provide independent fiscal analysis and support to the New York State Legislature. The office will be led by a director appointed through a super-majority vote (two-thirds of legislators) for a seven-year term, selected based on professional qualifications rather than political affiliation. The director, who cannot hold any other public office, will be responsible for providing comprehensive budget and fiscal information to legislative committees, including revenue estimates, budget analysis, and fiscal impact assessments of proposed legislation. The LBO will be required to submit an annual report by March 1st to legislative leadership, detailing anticipated state revenues, economic forecasts, summaries of the governor's budget proposal, and potential alternative revenue sources. The office will be funded equally by the Senate and Assembly, and its director will have the authority to hire staff and procure necessary resources. Additionally, the bill grants the LBO access to state department records and information to support its analytical work, ensuring transparency and providing legislators with independent, non-partisan fiscal expertise to inform budgetary and policy decisions.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5927