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| SPONSOR: | Altamirano | DATE TYPED: | 01/21/00 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Programs For Homeless Veterans | SB | 35 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Pickering | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY00 | FY01 | FY00 | FY01 | ||
| NFI | $ 100.0 | Minimal | Recurring | GF | |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
New Mexico Veterans' Service Commission (NMVSC)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
SB35 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to NMVSC for expenditure in FY 2001 to provide community-based rehabilitation and programs for homeless veterans. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2001 shall revert to the general fund.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
According to the agency, the bill creates funding for homeless services and programs, but contains no appropriation for associated administrative costs.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
NMVSC reported that SB35 would add some additional expenses in the categories of travel, supplies and materials and operating costs.
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
While not explicitly stated, SB35 implies that funding be used in contractual services since NMVSC has an established contractual arrangement with several veterans organizations to provide benefit claims assistance, transportation delivery and referral services. However, the agency expressed serious concern about the bill's broad language, which does not define what types of community-based rehabilitation services and programs NMVSC is to administer. The agency could use the funding to develop initiatives with new contractors or continue with its existing programs.
ALTERNATIVES
NMVSC recommended an appropriation to fund a statewide study to better assess homelessness among New Mexico's veterans. Consequently, the agency views this as a means for the state to develop a wider range of projects to reach the target population.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
Homelessness among veterans will continue to be a pressing issue.
RWP/gm