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

SPONSOR:	Gorham		DATE TYPED:	02/19/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		TANF Programs to Encourage & Support Marriage				SB	669
					ANALYST:		Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	$600.0			Recurring	TANF Federal

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates HB 750

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

Human Services Department

Commission on Higher Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 669 appropriates $600,000 from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Federal Block Grant to the board of regents of New Mexico State University. From the total, $500,000 is to advance the family-formation goals of welfare reform, including the support of statewide programs that teach the value of a healthy marriage, the importance of father involvement in child rearing, and provide parenting and family strengthening skills. The remaining $100,000 is to develop and implement a statewide media campaign on the benefits of a healthy marriage.

Significant Issues

SB 669 essentially duplicates a recommendation included in SB 2 and HB 7 for a $1,000,000 TANF appropriation for a request for proposal to accomplish the same or similar goals of strengthening family commitment services.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $600.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the TANF federal block grant. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2004 shall revert to the TANF federal block grant.

The Human Services Department functions as the single contact agency for the federal government regarding TANF programs and expenditures, and as such has ultimate responsibility for their proper use. To assist HSD in this oversight capacity, language similar to the following should be considered.

“The appropriation is contingent on the board of regents of New Mexico state university developing a program consistent with temporary assistance for needy families funding guidelines after review by both the human services department and the legislative finance committee.”

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

In fiscal year 2003, HSD established a $400,000 contract, subsequent to the Request for Proposal process, with NMSU to strengthen families and involve fathers and high risk families in Dona Ana, Valencia, and Otero counties with Nurturing Parenting classes enhanced with life skills training and nutrition education. Services are being delivered to 180 expectant, teen, single, divorced, abusive, and incarcerated parents and to 162 children.

MW/njw