NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.



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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Stapleton DATE TYPED: 01/25/00 HB 72
SHORT TITLE: UNM At-Risk Newborn Transport Program SB
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 770.9 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $770.9 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico to support the following Health Sciences Center programs: $122.0 for newborn intensive care unit transport services; $316.9 for enhancement of the library collection; and $332.0 for increased utility expenses. This bill carries an emergency clause.



Significant Issues



According to the CHE, funding for the newborn ICU transport services will cover increased contract costs for fixed-wing air patient transport, necessary to meet existing service volume. Funding for utilities will be used for the addition of the new Cancer Center. Library funding will enhance both electronic and print collections at the Health Sciences Center Library and will ensure successful accreditation reviews.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $770.9 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund for expenditure in fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.





OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The CHE recommends that the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



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