Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act, 1746
Long title
An Act to establish comprehensive federal budget procedures, enhance legislative oversight of executive fiscal actions, create impoundment control mechanisms, and improve fiscal transparency and accountability in the Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
The Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act of 1746 is a New Alexandrian law that establishes comprehensive federal budget procedures and enhances legislative oversight of executive fiscal actions. The Act creates the Federal Budget Office (FBO) as a nonpartisan legislative service agency, implements impoundment control mechanisms distinguishing between rescissions and deferrals, and mandates annual budget resolutions with five-year fiscal projections.
The legislation represents the most significant reform of federal budget processes since the founding of the Federation, strengthening the Cortes Federales' capacity to participate meaningfully in budget formulation and oversight. Introduced by Deputy Maria Santos of the Federal Humanist Party, the bill passed the 11th Cortes Federales with broad cross-party support, reflecting consensus on the need for enhanced legislative fiscal authority. King Sinchi Roca II granted Royal Assent on 2.X.1746AN.
The Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act emerged from growing concerns within the Cortes Federales about the need for enhanced legislative oversight of federal fiscal policy. Since the enactment of the Cortes Federales Act, 1694, the Federation's budget processes had evolved organically, but legislators increasingly recognized the need for systematic procedures to match the complexity of modern federal finances.
The Spring Crisis of 1739 and its aftermath exposed weaknesses in legislative fiscal oversight. The parliamentary deadlock that delayed the federal budget approval by six weeks demonstrated how inadequate procedures could create institutional paralysis during periods of political stress. Subsequent fiscal challenges, including the debt ceiling crisis resolved by the General Appropriations and Taxation Act, 1743, reinforced calls for comprehensive reform.
The 1743AN fiscal reforms, which abolished the statutory borrowing cap and created the Federal Debt Review Board, addressed immediate concerns about sovereign debt management but did not resolve underlying procedural deficiencies. The Federal Consensus Party and Alliance for a Just Nouvelle Alexandrie had pressed for stronger legislative budget analysis capacity during those negotiations, and Deputy Gabrielle Fitzgerald secured commitments from the Jimenez government to support broader institutional reform.
Key concerns addressed by the legislation included the lack of systematic multi-year fiscal planning, insufficient legislative capacity for independent budget analysis, unclear procedures for executive modification of spending plans, and limited transparency in budget execution reporting. The absence of a dedicated legislative budget office meant the Cortes relied primarily on executive branch data when evaluating fiscal proposals, creating information asymmetries that disadvantaged legislative decision-making.
The Federal Humanist Party incorporated budget reform into its legislative agenda for 1746AN, recognizing that enhanced legislative capacity would benefit whichever party controlled the government. Deputy Maria Santos, chair of the Federal Assembly's Appropriations Committee, led the drafting effort in consultation with fiscal experts from all major parties.
Legislative debate
The Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act attracted broad support across party lines, reflecting consensus that enhanced legislative fiscal oversight served institutional rather than partisan interests. However, parties differed on specific provisions, leading to substantive amendments during committee deliberations.
Cross-party support
The Federal Consensus Party embraced the legislation as consistent with its longstanding emphasis on good governance and institutional accountability. FCP leader Morissa Baumann characterized the bill as "the kind of structural reform our Federation has needed for decades" and committed FCP support early in the legislative process. FCP deputies contributed significantly to strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring minority party access to the new Federal Budget Office.
The Democratic Socialist Party supported the bill while pressing for stronger provisions. DSP leader Martina Vásquez argued that "transparent budget processes are essential for democratic accountability" and praised the impoundment control mechanisms as necessary checks on executive discretion. The DSP focused on ensuring public access to budget documents and preventing the executive from circumventing legislative spending priorities.
The Wakara People's Party supported the legislation with emphasis on regional consultation requirements. WPP leader Gueyacán Vázquez argued that federal budget decisions significantly affected regional governments and communities, and that the Federal Budget Office should be required to analyze regional fiscal impacts. The WPP secured amendments requiring consultation with regional authorities on matters affecting regional budgets.
United for Alvelo Deputy Pablo Alvelo Nieves supported the bill while emphasizing transparency provisions. Alvelo Nieves argued that budget documents should be publicly accessible in formats that citizens could understand, not merely available to parliamentary insiders.
Amendments adopted
The Regional Fiscal Consultation Amendment, introduced by WPP Deputy Tomás Guainía of Boriquén, required the Federal Budget Office to consult with regional governments when analyzing proposals with significant regional fiscal impacts. The amendment established a Regional Fiscal Advisory Panel comprising representatives from each region's treasury department to provide input on budget resolutions and appropriations affecting regional finances.
The Public Transparency Amendment, introduced by DSP Deputy Elena Cortez of Alduria, required that budget resolutions, appropriations bills, and quarterly fiscal reports be published in accessible formats on a dedicated public portal. The amendment mandated plain-language summaries of major fiscal documents and required the Federal Budget Office to maintain public databases of federal spending by program and region.
The Minority Party Access Amendment, introduced by FCP Deputy Jorge Delgado of Alduria, ensured that all parliamentary parties with representation in the Cortes would have equal access to Federal Budget Office resources and analysis. The amendment prohibited the Office from prioritizing requests based on party affiliation or government status and required the Director to report annually on the distribution of analytical services across parties.
The Emergency Appropriations Oversight Amendment, introduced by FCP Deputy Ricardo Fuentes of South Lyrica, established special procedures for legislative oversight of emergency spending. The amendment required the Federal Budget Office to provide expedited analysis of emergency appropriation requests and mandated quarterly reports on the execution of emergency funds. It also established a dedicated Emergency Spending Review Subcommittee within the Appropriations Committee.
Passage
The Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act passed with overwhelming support in both chambers. The bill attracted votes from all major parties, reflecting recognition that institutional budget reform served legislative interests regardless of partisan control of the executive. Only a small number of deputies voted against, primarily citing concerns about the cost of establishing the Federal Budget Office or preferring alternative reform approaches.
The bill passed the Federal Assembly on 8.IX.1746AN with 730 votes in favor and 10 against, with 9 abstentions. The Chamber of Peers approved the legislation on 22.IX.1746AN by a vote of 112-8, with 2 abstentions.
The Act establishes the Federal Budget Office (FBO) as a nonpartisan legislative service agency. The Office is headed by a Director appointed jointly by the Speaker of the Federal Assembly and the Lord President of the Chamber of Peers following consultation with the Premier. The Director serves a six-year term and may be removed only for cause by resolution of both chambers.
The FBO provides independent fiscal analysis, economic forecasting, and technical assistance to Cortes committees. Its duties include preparing annual reports on budget options, analyzing costs and benefits of proposed legislation, conducting studies on budget-related issues at committee request, and providing technical assistance in developing budget resolutions and appropriation bills. The Office must serve all parliamentary parties equally regardless of government or opposition status.
Budget resolution procedures
The legislation mandates annual budget resolutions that set fiscal targets and priorities. By the first day of the fourth month of each calendar year, the budget committees of each chamber must report a concurrent resolution setting forth total budget outlays, new budget authority, revenue estimates, public debt levels, and surplus or deficit targets. Budget resolutions must include five-year projections and detailed economic analysis.
Each chamber must complete action on the budget resolution by the fifteenth day of the fifth month. If a resolution is not completed by the start of the fiscal year, the most recent resolution remains in effect with adjustments for inflation and mandatory spending changes.
Appropriations controls
The Act establishes points of order to enforce budget discipline. Neither chamber may consider bills providing new budget authority unless a budget resolution is in effect. Bills that would cause total outlays to exceed resolution limits are out of order. Points of order may be waived only by two-thirds vote of members present.
The reconciliation process requires committees receiving reconciliation instructions to submit recommendations by specified deadlines. The appropriate committee then reports a reconciliation bill carrying out all recommendations without substantive revision.
Impoundment control
The Act distinguishes between rescissions and deferrals of appropriated funds. Rescissions require the Premier to submit a special message to both chambers, and budget authority may be rescinded only if both chambers complete action on a rescission bill within forty-five days. If either chamber fails to act, the funds must be made available for obligation.
Deferrals may not extend beyond the fiscal year end and may not be used to effect policy changes or reduce agency capacity to fulfill statutory responsibilities. Either chamber may pass a resolution directing that deferred funds be made available, and such funds must be released promptly.
Oversight and enforcement
The Comptroller General reviews impoundment messages and may file suit in the Federal High Court to compel release of improperly withheld funds. The FBO monitors compliance with budget resolutions and provides periodic reports on variances between projected and actual budget execution.
Executive officers who knowingly violate impoundment procedures are subject to disciplinary action. The Cortes may withhold appropriations for administrative expenses of agencies that repeatedly fail to comply.
Fiscal transparency
The Premier must submit annual budget proposals including five-year projections, performance metrics, and detailed justifications for spending changes. Quarterly financial reports must document actual versus projected budget execution, explain significant variances, and provide updated economic forecasts. An annual fiscal accountability report must assess budget execution accuracy and program effectiveness.
All budget documents must be published on a public portal in accessible formats with plain-language summaries.
Legislative history
Legislative history of the Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act, 1746
The Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act received overwhelming support from all major parties. The ten opposing votes came primarily from deputies who objected to the cost of establishing the Federal Budget Office or who preferred alternative institutional arrangements. Nine deputies abstained, citing procedural concerns or conflicts of interest with pending appropriations matters. The near-unanimous passage reflected broad consensus that enhanced legislative budget capacity served institutional interests transcending partisan divisions.
Bill as submitted to the "Hopper" of the Federal Assembly, 1746 AN
FEDERAL BUDGET CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, 1746
Ordered, by the Cortes Federales of Nouvelle Alexandrie,
to be Printed, 1746AN.
_______________________________
BE IT ENACTED by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Cortes Federales, in this present session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
PART I GENERAL PROVISIONS AND CITATION.
1. CITATION.
This Act shall be officially cited as the "Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act, 1746".
establish a framework for multi-year fiscal planning.
4. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
"Budget Authority" means the authority provided by law to incur financial obligations that will result in immediate or future outlays involving federal funds;
"Budget Year" means the fiscal year for which a budget is being considered;
"Current Year" means the fiscal year in progress;
"Impoundment" means any action or inaction by an officer or employee of the Council of State that precludes the obligation or expenditure of budget authority provided by the Cortes Federales;
"Rescission" means the cancellation of budget authority previously provided by the Cortes Federales;
"Deferral" means any action or inaction by an officer or employee of the Council of State that effectively delays the obligation or expenditure of budget authority.
The Office shall be headed by a Director appointed jointly by the Speaker of the Federal Assembly and the Lord President of the Chamber of Peers following consultation with the President of the Government.
The Director shall serve a term of six years and may be reappointed. The Director may be removed only for cause by a resolution passed by both Chambers of the Cortes Federales.
The Office shall be nonpartisan and shall not advocate for any particular policy position.
6. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET OFFICE.
The Office shall:
assist the Committees of the Cortes Federales with respect to matters within their jurisdictions relating to the federal budget and appropriations;
prepare and submit to the appropriate Committees such studies, estimates, and other information as may be requested;
prepare an annual report on budget options, including matters relating to possible savings in federal expenditures;
prepare economic forecasts and fiscal projections;
analyze the costs and benefits of proposed legislation with significant budgetary impact;
conduct studies on budget-related issues at the request of any Committee or Parliamentary Party;
provide technical assistance to Committees in the development of budget resolutions and appropriation bills.
The Office shall serve all parliamentary parties with representation in the Cortes Federales equally, regardless of government or opposition status.
The Director shall report annually on the distribution of analytical services across parliamentary parties.
6A. REGIONAL FISCAL CONSULTATION.
The Office shall consult with regional governments when analyzing proposals with significant regional fiscal impacts.
There is hereby established a Regional Fiscal Advisory Panel comprising representatives from each region's treasury department.
The Panel shall provide input on budget resolutions and appropriations affecting regional finances.
The Office shall include regional impact analysis in its reports on major fiscal legislation.
7. FEDERAL BUDGET RESOLUTION.
On or before the first day of the fourth month of each calendar year, the Committees responsible for budgetary matters in each Chamber shall report a concurrent resolution on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget resolution shall set forth:
the appropriate level of total budget outlays and total new budget authority;
an estimate of budget outlays and new budget authority for each major functional category of federal expenditures;
the amount of revenue expected to be received and the appropriate level of the public debt;
the appropriate level of the surplus or deficit in the budget;
such other matters as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act.
The budget resolution shall be accompanied by a report that includes:
a comparison with the budget submitted by the Council of State;
five-year projections of budget authority, outlays, and revenues;
an analysis of the economic assumptions underlying the budget resolution.
8. CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET RESOLUTION.
Each Chamber shall complete action on the budget resolution not later than the fifteenth day of the fifth month of each calendar year.
If a budget resolution for a fiscal year has not been completed by the beginning of such fiscal year, the most recently agreed budget resolution shall remain in effect with adjustments for inflation and mandatory spending changes.
PART III APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURE CONTROL.
9. APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS.
It shall not be in order in either Chamber to consider any bill, amendment, or resolution providing new budget authority for a fiscal year, or providing an increase or decrease in revenues, unless the most recently agreed budget resolution is still in effect for such fiscal year.
After completion of action on a budget resolution for a fiscal year, it shall not be in order in either Chamber to consider any bill, amendment, or resolution that would cause total outlays for such fiscal year to exceed the total budget outlays set forth in such resolution.
The Committees responsible for appropriations in each Chamber shall subdivide among their subcommittees the budget authority and outlays allocated to them in the most recently agreed budget resolution.
10. RECONCILIATION PROCESS.
If the budget resolution contains reconciliation instructions to Committees of either Chamber, such Committees shall submit their recommendations to the appropriate Committee not later than the date specified in the budget resolution.
Upon receiving all such recommendations, the appropriate Committee shall report a reconciliation bill carrying out all such recommendations without any substantive revision.
11. POINTS OF ORDER.
It shall not be in order in either Chamber to consider any bill or resolution that:
provides budget authority in excess of the amounts allocated in the budget resolution;
provides budget authority for purposes not contemplated in the budget resolution;
reduces revenues below the levels set forth in the budget resolution without providing compensating revenue increases or spending reductions.
Any Deputy or Peer may raise a point of order against consideration of any matter that violates the provisions of this section.
A point of order under this section may be waived only by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting in the Chamber concerned.
PART IV IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL PROCEDURES.
12. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPOUNDMENTS.
Whenever the President of the Government or any other executive officer impounds budget authority provided by the Cortes Federales, a special message shall be transmitted promptly to both Chambers setting forth:
the amount of budget authority impounded;
the account, department, and program affected;
the reasons for the impoundment;
the period of time during which the impoundment is to be in effect;
the estimated fiscal and program effects of the impoundment.
13. RESCISSIONS.
Budget authority may be rescinded only if the President of the Government submits to both Chambers a special message requesting the rescission and both Chambers complete action on a rescission bill within forty-five days of continuous session after the special message is received.
If either Chamber has not completed action on the rescission bill by the end of the forty-five day period, the budget authority shall be made available for obligation.
Any funds rescinded under this section may be restored by a subsequent appropriation if such restoration is specifically provided for in an appropriation Act.
14. DEFERRALS.
Budget authority may be deferred only if the President of the Government submits to both Chambers a special message providing the information required under section 12 and the deferral is not for a period extending beyond the end of the fiscal year.
Budget authority may not be deferred:
to effect a policy change;
if the deferral would reduce the ability of an agency to carry out its statutory responsibilities;
if the Comptroller General determines that the deferral constitutes an abuse of administrative discretion.
Either Chamber may, at any time after receiving a deferral message, pass a resolution directing that the deferred budget authority be made available for obligation. Such budget authority shall be made available promptly after passage of the resolution.
15. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION.
Any rescission bill or resolution concerning deferrals shall be considered under expedited procedures in both Chambers.
Debate on any such measure shall be limited to not more than ten hours in each Chamber, equally divided between supporters and opponents.
No amendment shall be in order except amendments that increase the amount to be rescinded or that strike specific deferrals from a deferral message.
PART V OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT.
16. ROLE OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
The Comptroller General shall review each special message submitted under this Act and inform the Cortes Federales of the facts surrounding each impoundment.
If the Comptroller General determines that an impoundment is not being carried out in accordance with this Act, the Comptroller General shall file suit in the Federal High Court to require the release of such budget authority.
The Comptroller General shall maintain continuous surveillance of the execution of budget authority to ensure compliance with this Act.
17. ENHANCED OVERSIGHT PROCEDURES.
Each Committee of the Cortes Federales having jurisdiction over programs affected by impoundments shall review such impoundments and may hold hearings thereon.
The President of the Government and appropriate executive officers shall provide such information as may be requested by any Committee concerning impoundments affecting programs within the Committee's jurisdiction.
The Federal Budget Office shall monitor compliance with budget resolutions and provide periodic reports to the Cortes Federales on variances between projected and actual budget execution.
17A. EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS OVERSIGHT.
There is hereby established an Emergency Spending Review Subcommittee within the Appropriations Committee of the Federal Assembly.
The Federal Budget Office shall provide expedited analysis of emergency appropriation requests within seven days of submission.
The President of the Government shall submit quarterly reports on the execution of emergency appropriations.
Emergency appropriations not obligated within one fiscal year shall lapse unless specifically extended by subsequent appropriation.
18. SANCTIONS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.
Any executive officer who knowingly and willfully violates the impoundment control procedures established by this Act shall be subject to disciplinary action as provided by law.
The Cortes Federales may withhold further appropriations for the administrative expenses of any department or agency that repeatedly fails to comply with the requirements of this Act.
PART VI FISCAL TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING.
19. ENHANCED BUDGET SUBMISSIONS.
The President of the Government shall submit to the Cortes Federales, not later than the first day of each calendar year, a budget for the Federal Government for the ensuing fiscal year that includes:
five-year projections of budget authority, outlays, and revenues;
detailed justifications for all proposed changes in spending levels;
performance metrics and goals for major federal programs;
an analysis of the economic assumptions underlying the budget;
a comparison of proposed spending with the previous year's budget resolution.
the actual and projected budget authority and outlays for each department and major program;
an explanation of any significant variances from the budget resolution;
updated economic forecasts and their impact on budget projections;
a statement of the federal debt and any changes in debt management policies.
21. ANNUAL FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT.
Not later than one hundred and eighty days after the end of each fiscal year, the President of the Government shall submit to the Cortes Federales a comprehensive report on the fiscal operations of the Federal Government that includes:
a detailed analysis of budget execution for the completed fiscal year;
an assessment of the accuracy of budget projections;
recommendations for improvements in budget formulation and execution;
an evaluation of the effectiveness of major federal programs in achieving their stated objectives.
21A. PUBLIC ACCESS TO FISCAL INFORMATION.
Budget resolutions, appropriations bills, quarterly fiscal reports, and annual fiscal accountability reports shall be published on a dedicated public portal within seven days of submission to the Cortes Federales.
The Federal Budget Office shall prepare plain-language summaries of major fiscal documents for public dissemination.
The Office shall maintain public databases of federal spending by program, department, and region, updated quarterly.
PART VII IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
22. REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES.
The Director of the Federal Budget Office, in consultation with the President of the Government, shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to implement this Act.
Each Chamber of the Cortes Federales may adopt such additional procedures as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act that affect the operations of that Chamber.
23. FUNDING.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Funding for the Federal Budget Office shall be provided through a separate appropriation and shall not be subject to impoundment under any circumstances.
24. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.
This Act shall take effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year following its enactment.
During the first year of implementation, the deadlines specified in this Act may be extended by joint agreement of the Speaker of the Federal Assembly and the Lord President of the Chamber of Peers.
The President of the Government shall submit a transition budget in accordance with this Act for the first fiscal year to which this Act applies.
25. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW.
This Act supplements and does not replace the budget and appropriations procedures established by the Cortes Federales Act, 1694, and the Standing Orders of the Federal Assembly and Chamber of Peers.
In case of conflict between this Act and existing budget procedures, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.
26. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Act and its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.
27. COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION.
This Bill shall apply to all of the Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
This Bill shall not become law unless it has been given Royal Assent.
In the event any provision or part of this Bill is found to be invalid or unenforceable, only that particular provision or part so found, and not the entire Bill, will be inoperative.
Votes
Vote tally for the Federal Budget Control and Accountability Act, 1746
Valencia
Boriquén
Alduria
South Lyrica
Santander
