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: Rawson DATE TYPED: 01/29/00 HB
SHORT TITLE: Sloan Digital Sky Survey Project SB 101
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 1,100.0 Rec GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HB237



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $1,100.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the New Mexico State University for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey project at Apache Point Observatory. This bill carries an emergency clause.



Significant Issues



According to the CHE, a benefit of implementation of this bill would be greater research opportunities.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $1,100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund for expenditure in fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill duplicates House Bill 237.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The CHE recommends that the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



APP/gm