| Definition: | Authorization for a specific agency to make expenditures or incur liabilities from a specific fund for a specific purpose. It is usually limited in amount and period of time during which the expenditure is to be incurred. For example, appropriations made by the Budget Act are available for encumbrance for one year, unless otherwise specified. Appropriations made by other legislation are available for encumbrance for three years, unless otherwise specified, and appropriations stating “without regard to fiscal year” (“continuing appropriations”) shall be available from year to year until expended. Legislation or the California Constitution can provide continuous appropriations, and the voters can also make appropriations.
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