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)

Duplicates Senate Bill 429, except the appropriation in SB429 is $150.0 instead of $125.0

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 291 appropriates $125.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico (UNM) for the purpose of funding the New Mexico high school mock trial educational program at UNM.

Significant Issues

Participants in the UNM high school mock trial program prepare an identified case(s) in conjunction with their teacher and an attorney coach and present their case(s) in regional, state, and/or national competitions. The purpose of the program is to promote an understanding of the United States legal system. New Mexico high schools have been active in this program at all levels of competition since 1979.

All New Mexico higher educational institutions were asked to provide the CHE with an overall priority listing of new and expansion research and public service project requests. According to the CHE, this request was not included in UNM's budget request to the their board of regents, and thus was not submitted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) for review. UNM did not receive approval for this program from their governing board and the CHE did not recommend funding this program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $125.0 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.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

According to the SDE, the strengths of the previously funded program includes: 1) strong alignment with and linking assessments to the New Mexico Student Competencies and New Mexico Content Standards and Benchmarks, 2) the implementation of good professional development practices, and 3) an active, hands-on learning approach for students. The program serves students and teachers well in active learning, using research and practice, and understanding the components of trial law in the United States judicial system.

AMENDMENTS

The CHE suggests the following language for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2001-2002):

"The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2, 2004 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having this program implemented for a three-year period."

LG/njw