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HB 1130 Department
of Legislative Services FISCAL
AND POLICY NOTE
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
This constitutional
amendment proposes several changes to State and local budgeting. First,
any new State or local tax, tax rate increase, or repeal of a tax exemption
must be approved by a majority of voters. Second, the maximum annual
percentage change in State or local fiscal spending cannot exceed the
prior year's change in inflation plus the applicable percentage change
in population adjusted for approved revenue changes. Third, the State
is required to maintain a rainy day fund equal to 5% of general fund
expenditures. The fund may be used only when general fund reserves are
less than the prior year and the action is approved by three-quarters
of the House and Senate. Fourth, if general fund revenues exceed the
estimated amount of revenues for that year by at least 2%, the total
amount of the excess, minus administrative expenses, must be paid to
individual income taxpayers. Fiscal Summary State
Effect: Potential significant reduction in general fund revenues
and expenditures based on the above provisions. This impact would vary
by year, and as a result cannot be reliably estimated. Expenditures
for administrative costs would increase in any year in which a refund
was issued, but would be deducted from any amount rebated.
Background: Since 1982, the General Assembly has employed a "spending affordability" process. The Spending Affordability Committee is composed of the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House, the chairmen of the four standing fiscal committees, and other members selected by the presiding officers. In recent years, the committee has consisted of 18 legislators and has been assisted by an advisory committee of private citizens. The Department of Legislative Services prepares a "September Forecast" for the committee that contains an estimate of projected revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee reviews these projections and the status of the State economy. By statute, the committee must report to the Legislative Policy Committee by December 1 of each year with recommendations for fiscal goals for the budget to be considered at the next session of the General Assembly. This report includes the following types of recommendations:
The committee may make other appropriate findings and recommendations. By statute, if committee recommendations with respect to State spending exceed the annual increase in relevant economic indicators, the committee must provide an analysis as to the extent the recommendations exceed such indicators. Similarly, if the Governor submits a budget request in excess of the amounts recommended by the Spending Affordability Committee, the Governor must explain the rationale for exceeding the recommendations. The budget committees must also provide an explanation for any amounts exceeding Spending Affordability Committee recommendations that are presented to the Senate and House of Delegates for consideration. The committee's primary responsibility is to recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly a level of spending for the State operating budget that is reflective of the current and prospective condition of the State's economy. The committee has often used growth in personal income as a proximate measure of the State's economic growth and as a guide for the increase in State spending. To clarify that it is the committee's intent to coordinate the growth in appropriations with anticipated economic growth in the next fiscal year, this report relates budget growth directly to economic growth expected during the budget year. State Fiscal Effect: The actual effect on State revenues and spending cannot be estimated and would vary each year depending on the restrictions specified in the bill. State Spending State spending could be impacted to the extent that spending needs exceed the spending limitations imposed by the bill. This would vary by year, and as a result cannot be reliably estimated. Exhibit 1 shows the effect on State spending had this amendment been in effect for fiscal 2001 through 2003. In each of fiscal 2000 through 2003, actual total State spending exceeded the limits imposed by the bill. For example, in fiscal 2001 spending would have been limited to an increase of 4.18% over 2000 compared to the actual increase of 12.29% over 2000.
Had this amendment been in effect for the last five fiscal years, rebates would have been issued in fiscal 1997, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999, fiscal 2000, and fiscal 2001 totaling about $208 million, $371 million, $548 million, $703 million, and $477 million respectively. The average tax liability for the 2,104,391 taxable returns filed in 2001 was $4,658. Based on the amount over the estimate, each taxable return would have been eligible for a rebate of approximately $227 in 2001. The Comptroller's Office would incur one-time computer programming costs of $7,200 to make adjustments to the tax processing system in order to issue refunds. In any year in which rebates were issued, costs would increase by about $1.6 million, including costs for processing time; digital storage; and 2.5 million checks, envelopes, and postage. These costs would be deducted from the total amount rebated, however. Also, the State Treasurer charges a fee of $5.05 for each cancelled check. The Comptroller estimates that, based on other programs, about 6% of refund checks could have to be cancelled. Local Fiscal Effect: Local spending could be impacted to the extent that spending needs exceed the spending limitations imposed by the bill. This would vary by year, and as a result cannot be reliably estimated.
Prior Introductions: None. Cross File: SB 601 (Senator Mooney, et al.) - Budget and Taxation. Information Source(s): Somerset County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Charles County, Comptroller's Office, Baltimore County, Frederick County, Department of Legislative Services Fiscal Note
History: First Reader - March 23, 2004 Analysis by: Michael Sanelli Direct
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