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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts bill requires quadrennial zero-based budget estimates and public hearings for state agencies
Last action · January 15, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see S2909Sponsors: Bruce Tarr and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
The Secretary of Administration and Finance must develop and submit quadrennial zero-based budget estimates for every state agency, starting from a zero dollar base without regard to prior appropriations, for legislative review and public hearings.
Changes how state agency funding requests are prepared and evaluated by forcing agencies to justify all expenses from scratch every four years rather than adjusting previous spending levels.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
state agencies and departments
Must prepare quadrennial zero-based budget estimates starting from a zero dollar baseline along with performance narratives.
Secretary of Administration and Finance
Must develop and submit the quadrennial zero-based budgets with the Governor's approval.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a zero-based budget under this bill?
How often must these zero-based budgets be submitted?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
6 actions- Jan 15, 2026SenateAccompanied a study order, see S2909
- Dec 24, 2025SenateReporting date extended to Saturday January 31, 2026
- Oct 29, 2025JointHearing rescheduled to 11/05/2025 from 10:30 AM-01:00 PM in B-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing location changed</span>
- Oct 27, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 11/05/2025 from 10:30 AM-01:00 PM in A-2
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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