General Budget Timetable

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec

Early January
Departments submit approved (updated) BCPs and final Supplementary Schedules (Operating Expenses and Equipment, Equipment, Federal Funds and Reimbursements) to the Department of Finance [DOF].
January 10
Governor (and DOF) submits Governor’s Budget and Budget Bill to the Legislature by this date.
Soon after the release of the Governor’s Budget
Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) releases the Analysis of the Budget Bill and Perspectives and Issues.
After the release of the LAO Analysis of the Budget Bill
DOF prepares responses (rebuttals) to LAO’s Analysis, if necessary.
January to May
DOF initiates the Unanticipated Costs Bill based on most updated unanticipated costs drill.
February 1
DOF provides to the Legislature all proposed statutory changes (Budget Trailer Bills), as prepared by the Legislative Counsel, that are necessary to implement the Governor’s Budget.
Mid-February
Departments submit Spring Finance Letter requests to the Department of Finance (DOF).
February to mid-May
Legislative budget subcommittee staff hold budget pre-hearings with LAO, DOF and departments.
Late February to early March
DOF releases Salaries and Wages Supplement (Sch. 7A).
Late February to mid-March
DOF budget staff discuss Finance Letter requests and meet with departments.
February to mid-May
Legislative budget subcommittee staff hold budget pre-hearings with LAO, DOF and departments.
February to late-May
Legislative Budget Subcommittees hold budget hearings.
March
DOF Program Budget Managers and Director of Finance hold Finance Letter Hearings with departments, as needed.
April 1
DOF submits non-May Revision and non-Capital Outlay Finance Letters (April 1 Finance Letters) to the Legislature.

DOF budget staff analyze May Revision requests and meet with departments.

DOF Program Budget Managers, Director of Finance and Governor, hold May Revision hearings/meetings with departments, as needed.

April - Mid-Month
DOF issues technical budget instructions for the fiscal year following the upcoming one.
May 1
DOF submits Capital Outlay (May 1) Finance Letters to the Legislature.
May 14
DOF issues May Revision update of General Fund revenues and expenditures, including Finance Letters.
Mid-May to late
Unanticipated Costs Bill update to the Legislature.
late May
Budget Subcommittees report to Full Budget Committees; Budget Bills sent to the Floors.
Early June to mid
Budget Conference Committee meets; Budget Bills sent to Floors.
June 15
Constitutional deadline for Legislature to pass Budget Bill.
Mid-June to late
DOF updates Unanticipated Costs Bill; Fiscal Committees hear and Legislature passes Unanticipated Costs Bill; Governor signs Unanticipated Costs Bill.

Assuming the Budget is passed on time, Governor decides Budget Bill vetoes.
Late June
Assuming the Budget is enacted on time, Budget Act and Budget Trailer Bills are printed.
July 1
State’s fiscal year begins.
July, mid
DOF issues budget policy letter.
July, mid to late
SCO issues Schedule 8 Tabulation, supplemental tabulations for Schedule 8 and Schedule 7A, Abolished Vacant Position Report and the Blanket Position Expenditure Report to departments.
July, end of
Departments submit to the State Controller’s Office (SCO) and State Treasurer’s Office (STO) year-end financial statements for the General Fund, feeder funds and a few other funds.
July to mid-August
Assuming the Budget is enacted on time, LAO issues the Supplemental Report (Language) for the Budget Act.
August
Current Service Level is rolled over and available to departments.
Early August
DOF transmits Sch. 7A spreadsheet to departments.
3rd week August
Departments submit year-end financial statements for all other funds (those not due by the end of July).
August, late
Departments submit incremental past year information to DOF.
August, late, to early September
Departments submit Budget Bill Section 3.60 worksheets to DOF.
August to mid-September
DOF issues annual price letter and the Department of General Services issues the Price Book
August to September
DOF releases Final Budget Summary and Final Change Book.
September to early October
Departments submit current year, budget year, and out-year information to DOF.
September to late October
Departments submit completed 7As and Sch. 8s to DOF.
September, early to mid
Departments submit Budget Change Proposals (BCP), including Budget Bill Language changes, to DOF.
September, mid-October
DOF budget staff hold budget discussions and meetings with departments.
October
DOF Program Budget Managers hold budget hearings with departments, as needed.
October, mid
DOF issues assessments for General Administrative Charges (Pro Rata) to Special Fund departments, and the Statewide Cost Allocation Plan (SWCAP) to departments with federal funds.
Late October to early November
Departments submit Enrollment, Caseload and Population (ECP) data.
November, early to mid
Director of Finance holds budget decision meetings/appeals with departments, Agency and Governor's Office staff, as needed.
November, early to 3rd week
Departments start flowing updated BCPs and supporting documents, and updated budget information that have decisions and no open issues.
Early December
DOF briefs Governor on updated General Fund revenues and expenditures, and preliminary status of budget for current and budget years.
December, early to mid
Governor holds budget meetings and makes decisions.
December, mid to 3rd week
Departments submit updated BCPs and supporting documents, and updated budget information to reflect Governor’s decisions.
December, late to early January
DOF finalizes Governor’s Budget, Governor’s Budget Summary, and Budget Bill.