Legislative Reports

Legislative Budget Request 

Under Arizona law, ARS. § 35-113, the administrative head of each budget unit must submit estimates of financial requirements and receipts — including both appropriated and non-appropriated funds — for the next fiscal year. This submission is due Sept. 1, or up to 30 days later if approved by the Director of the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. 

How it’s developed:

• Each summer, the Arizona Board of Regents issues budget request guidelines which build on those from the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, allowing universities to propose incremental investments.
• After ABOR approval, typically in August, ASU’s Office of Planning and Budget submits its LBR through the OSPB’s Arizona Budget System by the Sept. 1 deadline. Two paper copies are usually submitted, one for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. 

Recent LBR documents:

• FY 2027 Legislative Budget Request — ABS
• FY 2026 Legislative Budget Request — ABS
• FY 2025 Legislative Budget Request — ABS

Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendation

After receiving the Legislative Budget Requests and reviewing state revenue forecasts, the Governor prepares an Executive Budget Recommendation. This document outlines proposed appropriations, policy priorities, and funding levels — including for higher education — and is usually released early in January when the legislative session begins. 

What it includes:

• The proposed budget for state agencies, including universities
• Revenue forecasts and major policy initiatives
• Comparisons of past, current, and proposed budgets to highlight changes

Recent executive budget documents:

• FY 2026 Executive Budget Summary
• FY 2025 Executive Budget Summary
• FY 2024 Executive Budget Summary

JLBC Appropriations Report

Once the Legislature passes the General Appropriation Act and the Governor signs off, or issues line-item vetoes, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee publishes the Appropriations Report. This report documents what was actually appropriated, the revenue forecasts used, legislative adjustments, and legislative intent. 

Key elements of the JLBC Appropriations Report:

• Final appropriation amounts by agency/fund
• Crosswalks showing changes from the proposed/executive budget to what was enacted
• Economic and revenue forecasts underpinning the appropriations
• Legislative intent and explanations for line-item or special appropriations

Recent Appropriations Reports:

• FY 2026 Appropriations Report
• FY 2025 Appropriations Report
• FY 2024 Appropriations Report

Stewardship Connection 

Through the Legislative Budget Request, the Executive Budget Recommendation and the JLBC Appropriations Report, ASU acts as a responsible steward of the public funds entrusted to it. These processes ensure transparency, alignment with state priorities and accountability in how state investment is proposed and ultimately used.