House passes zero-based budgeting -- again

For the second time this session, the Georgia House on Tuesday passed its version of zero-based budgeting, the system that calls for all departments to justify all spending periodically during the budget process.

The House voted 135-38 to approve Senate Bill 33, which it had completely replaced with language from a House measure that passed earlier this year.

The bill calls each department, including the Legislature, to come up for review every six years instead of every three. The current Joint Fiscal Affairs Committee, which typically meets each May, would decide what departments come up for scrutiny each year, with the first appearing for fiscal 2013 that begins next year.