Because the power of the purse is so influential, bills related to the budget process often have a special timetable and set of procedures that apply. The chart below gives an overview of that process for each state.

Budget procedures are generally prescribed by constitutional and statutory provisions. However, certain pressures exist that tend to challenge the ledgers. These conditions can be either internal (i.e. revenue shortfalls, sudden emergencies, etc.), or external (i.e. unrealized federal funds, sudden or prolonged economic downturns, etc.). When a budget becomes unbalanced, a state will usually restructure their spending plans either in their regular, or a special, session.

Check with the legislature for details if you have a special interest in budget appropriations.