National Association of State Budget Officers

About NASBO

OVERVIEW

The National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) has served as the professional membership organization for state finance officers for more than sixty years. NASBO is the instrument through which the states collectively advance state budget practices. As the chief financial advisors to our nation’s governors, NASBO members are active participants in the public policy discussions at the state level. The major functions of the organization consist of research, policy development, education, training, and technical assistance. These are achieved primarily through NASBO’s publications, membership meetings, and training sessions. NASBO is an independent professional and educational association and is also an affiliate of the National Governors’ Association.

NASBO’s mission is to:

improve the quality and availability of information to state budget offices;

provide opportunities to share practices across states;

provide training and research information through publications and seminars; and

assist the National Governors Association in the development and implementation of its policy positions on fiscal issues.

Membership and Governance

NASBO is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization. Each state and territory may designate up to three members. Members are often the directors of state finance departments, the states’ chief budget officers, and their deputies. All staff in the budget offices are associate members. The organization also awards honorary and life memberships. The organization’s Executive Committee is the policy-making body. The Executive Committee consists of the President, the Immediate Past President, the President- Elect, four Standing Committee Chairs, four Regional Directors, two Members- at-Large, and up to two Special Committee Chairs.

Associate Membership and Involvement

Budget staff in the states are an important component of NASBO. All staff in the budget offices are associate members. Regional and other meetings are specifically designed for participation by associate members. In addition, budget staff play an active role in NASBO projects and surveys. Each year, an associate member is recognized with the George A. Bell Service Award. The Award recognizes outstanding contributions and service to public budgeting and management in state government. Associate members are nominated by state budget offices, which details the basis for the nomination. A committee appointed by the NASBO president screens the nomination and recommends the award’s recipient to the Executive Committee. The George A. Bell award is presented at the Annual Meeting.

Regional Organization

State budget offices in each of the four regions—the Eastern, Midwestern, Southern, and Western conduct regional programs in order to promote the continued exchange of information and ideas related to budgeting. The regional directors serve on the Executive Committee.

Technical Assistance

Part of NASBO’s mission is to promote the exchange of ideas between states. All members and associate members are encouraged to seek assistance from staff for information about practices in other states or any other information needed. Staff at NASBO will provide available information and often will refer you to other members and sources of information.

Training and Meetings

NASBO provides numerous training opportunities. The organization has an Annual/Summer Meeting, a Fall Meeting, and a Spring Meeting. In addition, the four NASBO regions (Southern, Western, Eastern and Midwestern) host various regional meetings. These meetings focus on regional as well as broader national issues. National meetings focus on policy issues, intergovernmental issues, and economic trends. Associate and regional meetings provide an opportunity for budget staff to meet their peers from other states and to engage in an informal exchange on various topics of regional interest. NASBO also hosts an annual Introductory Seminar for new state budget staff. This seminar focuses on budget strategies, current events, ethics and techniques in state budgeting.