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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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates: House Memorial 13

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 676 appropriates $35.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Northern New Mexico Community College (NMCC) to perform a study and develop an educational program for designation of a heritage area in Taos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties.

Significant Issues

The purpose of this study is to promote and support the history and culture of this area and to ensure that students will have access to this rich and diverse history. Once the project is completed, NMCC will work with schools in Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties to provide an educational outreach program for students.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $35.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Memorial 13 asks the United States congress to make every possible effort to maintain and preserve the distinctive historical, social and cultural characteristics of the people and land of north central New Mexico by designating it as a national heritage area.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE), the National Park Service must conduct the survey which is necessary to support the designation of an heritage area.

The requested funding will be used to support the community component of the project by funding the development and printing of an informational brochure and to conduct community meetings in the three counties involved to inform the citizens of the need for this designation. The fiscal agent for this project will be Northern New Mexico Community College in Espanola.

According to the State Department of Education, there is Congressional support for this project as well as the support from local mayors (Espanola, Santa Fe and Taos) to have this designation for the area.

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program/project:

This project was not included in NMCC's budget request to the NMCC Board of Regents, and thus was not submitted by NMCC to the CHE for review. The CHE did not recommend funding this project.

LG/njw