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





SPONSOR: Picraux DATE TYPED: 02/08/01 HB 45
SHORT TITLE: Expand On-line Electronic Library Materials SB
ANALYST: Valenzuela


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 200.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

Office of Cultural Affairs



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 45 appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the Library Division of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the purpose of expanding the statewide magazine on-line electronic database to public school libraries, with the exception of high schools, in an effort to improve student literacy skills.



Significant Issues



House Bill 45 responds to House Joint Memorial 5 that was passed in the second session of the 44th Legislature. The memorial directed both the State Library and the Department of Education to work together to study and report on the status of public school libraries in New Mexico. The report, entitled Improvement of New Mexico Public School Libraries, was presented to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) on November 13, 2000. The report emphasizes the positive correlation between high quality school library programs (including materials) and high student academic achievement. In New Mexico, only 22 percent of tested 4th graders scored at the 4th grade level for reading proficiency, which is stated in the report.



During the legislative interim, the New Mexico Task Force for School Libraries, an organization comprised of key stakeholders, conducted a statewide survey on the status of public school libraries, held 14 public review sessions to discuss program standards, and reviewed similar program standards throughout the nation. One recommendation of the report was that more effort should be made to provide "substantial and varied materials collections" including electronic information databases for access by students to develop basic and informational literacy. House Bill 45 addresses public school electronic library materials specifically.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.

Aside from this appropriation, enactment of House Bill 45 will have virtually no fiscal impact on the State Library.



The appropriation would used to allow the State Library to purchase a license agreement with periodicals database provider. The State Library would then provide access to all public school libraries, with the exception of high schools.



The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) has identified this appropriation as non-recurring.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



Enactment of House Bill 45 would not have a noticeable administrative impact on the State Library.



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