Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 6-27-20 through Section 6-27-30(B) and inserting:
/ Section 6-27-20.
There is created the Local Government Fund
administered by the State Treasurer. This fund is part of the
general fund of the State. It is the intent of the
General Assembly that this fund not be subject to mid-year cuts.
However, if mid-year cuts are mandated by the State Budget and
Control Board to avoid a year-end deficit, this fund is not
subject to such cuts, except by a majority vote of the entire
State Budget and Control Board which is separate and apart from
any other reduction. These cuts are permitted only to the
extent that counties and municipalities do not receive less
funding than received in the immediate preceding fiscal
year. The Local Government Fund must be financed as
provided in this chapter.
Section 6-27-30.
(A) In the annual general
appropriations act, an amount equal to not less than
four and one-half percent of general fund revenues of the latest
completed fiscal year must be appropriated the
General Assembly must appropriate funds to the Local
Government Fund.
(B)(1) In
any fiscal year in which general fund revenues are projected to
increase, the appropriation to the Local Government Fund for the
upcoming fiscal year must be increased by the same projected
percentage increase, but not to exceed five percent, when
compared to the appropriation in the current fiscal year. For
purposes of this subsection, beginning with the initial forecast
required pursuant to Section 11-9-880, the percentage increase
in general fund revenues must be determined by the Revenue and
Fiscal Affairs Office by comparing the current fiscal year's
recurring general fund expenditure base with the Board of
Economic Advisors' most recent projection of recurring general
fund revenue for the upcoming fiscal year. Upon the issuance of
the initial forecast, the Executive Director of the Revenue and
Fiscal Affairs Office, or his designee, shall notify the
Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the Chairman of the
House Ways and Means Committee, and the Governor of the
projected percentage increase. The executive director, or his
designee, shall provide similar notice if subsequent
modifications to the forecast change the projected percentage
increase. However, the forecast in effect on May thirty-first
of the current fiscal year is the final forecast for which the
percentage increase is determined, and no subsequent forecast
modifications shall have any effect on that determination.
(2)
The Governor shall include the appropriation
increase to the Local Government Fund in the Executive Budget.
(3)
The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office shall
determine the current fiscal year's recurring general fund
expenditure base, and determine any projected increase in
general fund revenues. If an increase is projected, the
appropriation for the upcoming fiscal year must be adjusted
accordingly. /
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, page 3, by striking Section 6-27-40(A) and inserting:
/ Section 6-27-40.
(A) Not later than
thirty days after the end of the calendar quarter, the State
Treasurer shall distribute the monies appropriated to the Local
Government Fund as follows:
(1)
Eighty-three and two hundred seventy-eight thousandths
percent must be distributed to counties. Of the total
distributed to counties, each county must receive an amount
based on the ratio that the county's population is of the whole
population of this State according to the most recent United
States Census.
(2)
Sixteen and seven hundred twenty-two thousandths percent
must be distributed to municipalities. Of the total distributed
to municipalities, each municipality must receive an amount
based on the ratio that the municipality's population is of the
population of all municipalities in this State according to the
most recent United States Census. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.