Biennial Appropriations Act

Bill: 114-s-385
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2015-02-05
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations

Budget deficits and national debt

Budget process

Congressional oversight

Legislative rules and procedure
Latest action: action_date: 2015-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-02-05
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Biennial Appropriations Act </b></p> <p>This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to change the annual appropriations process to a biennial process for nondefense spending. Congress must consider the defense appropriations bill annually and the remaining appropriations bills in either odd-numbered or even-numbered years. In each year that the appropriations bill for an agency is not considered, Congress must conduct oversight hearings.</p> <p>The bill requires the congressional budget resolution to be accompanied by committee allocations for biennial appropriations and the President's budget to include details that reflect the biennial process. </p> <p>It also creates a point of order against considering: (1) legislation authorizing appropriations for less than two years unless the program requires no further appropriations and will be completed after appropriations are expended, and (2) authorization or revenue legislation until Congress completes action on the budget resolution, appropriations bills, and reconciliation bills. </p> <p>The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of a biennial budget process. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 385 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 5, 2015 Mr. Enzi (for himself, Mr. Carper , Mr. Isakson , Mrs. Shaheen , and Ms. Ayotte ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget A BILL To provide for a biennial appropriations process with the exception of defense spending and to enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Biennial Appropriations Act . 2. Revision of timetable Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 631 ) is amended to read as follows: 300. Timetable (a) Timetable (1) In general The timetable with respect to the congressional budget process for any fiscal year is as follows: On or before: Action to be completed: First Monday in February President submits his or her budget. February 15 Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. Not later than 6 weeks after President submits budget Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. April 1 Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget. April 15 Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget. May 15 Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be considered in the House as provided in subsection (b). June 10 House Appropriations Committee reports last appropriation bill to be considered that year as provided in subsection (b). June 15 Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation. June 30 House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense appropriation bill. August 1 Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense appropriation bill. October 1 Fiscal year begins. (2) Special Rule In the case of any first session of Congress that begins in any year immediately following a leap year and during which the term of a President (except a President who succeeds himself or herself) begins, the following dates shall supersede those set forth in paragraph (1): On or before: Action to be completed: First Monday in April President submits his or her budget. April 15 Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. April 20 Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. May 15 Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget. June 1 Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget. July 1 Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be considered in the House as provided in subsection (b). July 20 House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense appropriation bill. August 1 Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), the defense appropriation bill, and reconciliation legislation. October 1 Fiscal year begins. (b) Biennial appropriation bills and defense appropriation bill Appropriation bills shall be enacted as follows: (1) Odd-numbered years In odd-numbered years Congress shall consider pursuant to the budget process under this title and enact— (A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and (B) biennial appropriation bills for— (i) Financial Services; (ii) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; (iii) Interior, Environment; (iv) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; and (v) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs. (2) Even-numbered years In even-numbered years Congress shall consider pursuant to the budget process in this title and enact— (A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and (B) biennial appropriation bills for— (i) Agriculture; (ii) Commerce, Justice, Science; (iii) Energy and Water; (iv) Homeland Security; (v) Legislative Branch; and (vi) State–Foreign Operations. . 3. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (a) Definitions Section 3 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 622 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (12) The term biennium means the period of 2 consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1. . (b) Committee Allocations Section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 633 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (A) by inserting and for appropriations for each fiscal year in the biennium and for the first fiscal year of the resolution for defense, after for the first fiscal year of the resolution, ; (B) by striking for that period of fiscal years and inserting for all fiscal years covered by the resolution ; and (C) by inserting for defense and for each fiscal year in the biennium after for the fiscal year of that resolution ; (2) in subsection (b), by inserting for defense and the biennium after budget year ; and (3) in subsection (f)(2)(A)— (A) by striking the first fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year of the biennium ; and (B) by striking the total of fiscal years and inserting the total of all fiscal years covered by the resolution . 4. Amendments to title 31 , United States Code (a) Definition Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: (3) biennium has the meaning given to such term in section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 622(12) ). . (b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress (1) Expenditures Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium for which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 fiscal years . (2) Receipts Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium for which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years . (3) Balance statements Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium . (4) Functions and activities Section 1105(a)(12)(A) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium . (5) Allowances Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium . (6) Allowances for uncontrolled expenditures Section 1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking that year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium for which the budget is submitted . (7) Tax expenditures Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium . (8) Future years Section 1105(a)(17) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking the fiscal year following the fiscal year and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium following the biennium ; (B) by striking that following fiscal year and inserting each such fiscal year ; and (C) by striking fiscal year before the fiscal year and inserting biennium before the biennium . (9) Prior year outlays Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking the prior fiscal year and inserting each of the 2 most recently completed fiscal years, ; (B) by striking for that year and inserting with respect to those fiscal years ; and (C) by striking in that year and inserting in those fiscal years . (10) Prior year receipts Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking the prior fiscal year and inserting each of the 2 most recently completed fiscal years ; (B) by striking for that year and inserting with respect to those fiscal years ; and (C) by striking in that year each place it appears and inserting in those fiscal years . (c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking each year and inserting each even-numbered year . (d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies Section 1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking the fiscal year for the first place it appears and inserting each fiscal year in the biennium for ; (2) by striking the fiscal year for the second place it appears and inserting each fiscal year of the biennium, as the case may be, for ; and (3) by striking for that year and inserting for each fiscal year of the biennium . (e) Capital Investment Analysis Section 1105(e)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ensuing fiscal year and inserting biennium to which such budget relates . 5. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriations Acts (a) In general Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts (a) In General (1) Nondefense Except as provided in paragraph (2), the style and title of all Acts making appropriations for the support of the Government shall be as follows: An Act making appropriations (here insert the object) for each fiscal year in the biennium of fiscal years (here insert the fiscal years of the biennium). . (2) Defense The style and title of Acts making appropriations for the support of defense shall be as follows: An Act making appropriations for defense for fiscal year (here insert the fiscal year). . (3) Amounts All Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the Government shall specify the amount of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in such period. (b) Definitions In this section— (1) the term biennium has the same meaning as in section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 622(12) ); and (2) Acts described in subsection (a)(1) shall be considered as provided in section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 631(b) ). . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 2 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 105 and inserting the following: 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts. . 6. Multiyear authorizations (a) In General Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the following: 316. Authorizations of appropriations (a) Point of Order It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider— (1) any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period of less than 2 fiscal years, unless the program, project, or activity for which the appropriations are authorized will require no further appropriations and will be completed or terminated after the appropriations have been expended; and (2) for any year, any authorization or revenue bill or joint resolution until Congress completes action on the budget resolution, all appropriations bills to be considered during the year under section 300(b), and all reconciliation bills. (b) Applicability In the Senate, subsection (a) shall not apply to— (1) defense; (2) any measure that is privileged for consideration pursuant to a rule or statute; (3) any matter considered in Executive Session; or (4) an appropriations measure or reconciliation bill. . (b) Amendment to Table of Contents The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding after the item relating to section 315 the following: Sec. 316. Authorizations of appropriations. . 7. Congressional oversight (a) In general In each year that the activities of an agency are not required to be funded pursuant to section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the committee of the House and the Senate with legislative jurisdiction over that agency shall hold a joint oversight hearing with the corresponding subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of their respective House with jurisdiction over the agency. (b) Hearing A hearing required by subsection (a) shall review— (1) the mission of the agency; (2) the impact of biennial budgeting on agency efficiency; (3) the cost savings associated with biennial budgeting; (4) new programs created in the off year of the agency budget; and (5) programs that were terminated in the off year of the agency budget. 8. Report on two-year fiscal period Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall— (1) determine the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on that definition to a 2-year fiscal period with a biennial budget process based on the 2-year period; and (2) submit to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study. 9. Effective date Except as provided in section 8, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2016, and shall apply to budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium beginning with fiscal year 2017.