Bill > S1274

This bill, the Biennial Appropriations Act, aims to shift the federal government's budgeting and appropriations process from an annual cycle to a biennial cycle, meaning for two-year periods, with the exception of defense spending which will continue to be appropriated annually. A "biennium" is defined as two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1st. The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish this new timetable, specifying which government departments' appropriations will be considered in odd-numbered years and which in even-numbered years, with defense appropriations always being handled annually. It also mandates that in years when an agency's activities are not being funded through appropriations, its relevant House and Senate committees must hold a joint oversight hearing with the Appropriations Committee to review the impact of biennial budgeting on the agency's efficiency, cost savings, and program changes. Furthermore, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to study and report on the feasibility of a complete transition to a two-year fiscal period and a biennial budget process.