Legal Definitions - biennium

A biennium refers to a two-year period. In a governmental or legislative context, it commonly describes the two-year cycle during which a legislative body, such as a state legislature, plans, approves, and allocates funds (known as appropriations) for government operations, programs, and services.

• Example 1: State Budget Cycle
  A state legislature might pass a comprehensive budget bill that outlines spending for the upcoming biennium, covering two full fiscal years. This means the financial plan and approved expenditures for all state agencies and programs are set for that specific two-year timeframe.

  This example illustrates how the term defines the specific two-year period for financial planning and resource allocation by a government body.

• Example 2: Program Funding Period
  A federal agency could announce a new initiative offering grants to local communities, specifying that successful projects will receive funding for a biennium. This indicates that the grant money will be provided and the project is expected to operate for a two-year duration.

  Here, the biennium clearly signifies that the grant funding and the project's operational period are set for a two-year duration, providing a defined timeline for the program.