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)

Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) analysis

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA) analysis

Public Defender Department (PDD) analysis

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 24 relates and provides appropriations for one new judgeship in the Second Judicial District Court, one new judgeship in the Sixth Judicial District Court, one new judgeship in the Eleventh Judicial District Court, one new judgeship in the Thirteenth Judicial District Court, three new judgeships for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, one new magistrate judgeship for Santa Fe County and one new magistrate judgeship for Chaves County.

The bill appropriates funding for the judgeships as well as equipment and staff for the new judges and costs to the District Attorney offices and the Public Defender Department, which are impacted by the new judgeships.

Significant Issues

House Bill 24 was constructed with the needs of the individual District Attorney and Public Defender offices impacted by the new judgeships taken into consideration.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 24 appropriates a total of $3,033.6 in recurring general fund for FY01. $1,938.8 is appropriated for the courts, $560.5 is appropriated to the District Attorneys, and $534.3 is appropriated to the Public Defender Department.

BOC/njw