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)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Regulation & Licensing Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Certain boards and commissions are scheduled discontinue operations and cease to exist under the provisions of the "Sunset Act". Under this act, they will be terminated on July 1, 1999, and have one year to "wind-up" operations which must be completed by July 1, 2000. SB50 would extend the life of these boards and commissions through the termination date of July 1, 2005. On July 1, 2006, the statute authorizing the board or commission will be repealed. The following is a listing of the boards and commissions being extended: Labor & Industrial Commission, State Racing Commission, NM Athletic Commission, Message Therapy Board, Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Athletic Trainer Practice Board, Interior Design Board, NM Real Estate Commission, Real Estate Appraisers Board and the Coal Surface Mining Commission.

Significant Issues

During the 1999 Regular Legislative Session, SB380 was similar to this bill however it also included language to extend the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act. SB380 was passed but subsequently vetoed by the Governor.

If this extension bill does not pass during the 1999 Special Legislative Session, these boards and commissions will have one more opportunity to request extension during the 2000 Legislature or they will have to cease operations by July 1, 2000.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

These boards and commissions will continue operations through the end of FY 2000, so there will be no additional budget impact during the coming fiscal year. Most of these boards and commissions operate with self-generated "Other State Funds" with the exception of the Labor & Industrial Commission and the Racing Commission which receive a General Fund Appropriation.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

All boards and commissions scheduled to "sunset" will have to begin preparing "shut-down" plans in the event that they are not extended during the 2000 Legislative Session. They will have four months from the end of the 2000 Legislative Session to terminate operations.

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