Legislative Brief
House Bill 178: Budgeting Accountability and Transparency
Makes our state budget process more open and fair
HB 178 Summary: Adopts rules around the state budget process to require public notice, opportunities for comment, and time for review of budget documents by lawmakers and the public alike.
The current state budget process is rushed and happens mostly behind closed doors
- Over the last several years, the North Carolina state budget process has become increasingly rushed and opaque, leaving little opportunity for public input.
- Final budgets are crafted in private meetings with input from only a handful of powerful lawmakers.
- When the state budget was passed for the 2023-2025 biennium, lawmakers had only 48 hours to review 1,400 pages of budget documents before casting a final vote.
Public comment and meaningful lawmaker debate create a more democratic state budget process
- The requirements outlined in HB 178 would give the public more opportunities to understand the funding decisions made by the legislators who represent them.
- Lawmakers would have more opportunities to understand how the budget would affect their constituents and to publicly debate budget proposals, allowing them to better represent their districts.
More about HB 178
- Creates a public notice period of at least one week during the budget process.
- Gives the public the opportunity to submit comments on budget proposals through an online portal provided on the General Assembly’s website.
- Requires at least one hearing with opportunities for public comment.
- Requires at least three nonvoting legislative committee hearings for lawmakers to discuss and debate the budget.
- All lawmakers would have at least five days to review a final budget proposal before voting.
- All budget requests made by legislators and agency staff would be made public as the budget becomes law.
