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: Madalena DATE TYPED: 02/08/00 HB 412
SHORT TITLE: Use of Zia Symbol SB
ANALYST: Kehoe


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 50.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC files, Office of Indian Affairs (OIA)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 412 appropriates $50.0 from the General Fund to the OIA for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 to facilitate a process that would lead to an agreement to determine how the Pueblo should be compensated for the state's use of the Zia symbol. The bill stipulates the negotiating team will be composed of six persons with the Governor, the President Pro Tem and the Speaker of the House each appointing two.



The bill also requires an appropriately worded apology from the state for its unauthorized use of the symbol during the past seventy-five years.



Significant Issues



The analysis prepared by the OIA states that the Zia symbol "is considered sacred and the misuse of it by the state needs to be addressed in a serious manner. The Pueblo would like to restore this sacred symbol back to its original intent as its own."



In some New Mexico History books, credit is given to Dr. Harry Mera for the design of the Zia symbol, and this "allegation" should (or would) be considered in any activity to compensate the Pueblo for the use of the Zia symbol.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The bill appropriates $200.0 from the general fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2001. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The Office of Indian Affairs will administer the project with existing staff.



LMK/njw