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.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Conflicts with HB 856

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HB 835 ties the salary compensation of county sheriffs to their level of advanced training certification as established by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. The bill identifies a sliding scale for compensation based upon the rating class of the county.

Significant Issues

HB 835 rewards the sheriffs that have sought to improve their management skills through attendance at training classes.

There may be a group of sheriffs excluded from consideration. If a county sheriff is already at the maximum salary allowed by statute, there will be no additional benefit.

The Association of Counties supports the efforts of the Legislature to encourage the county sheriffs to pursue advanced training.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation in HB 835 and there are no costs to the State. There is an insignificant recurring revenue to the Law Enforcement Training and Recruiting Fund since the counties will be required to pay $10 per level to the Law Enforcement Academy for training.

There will be recurring costs for the counties since they will be required to pay higher salaries to the sheriffs for each level of advanced law enforcement certification for which he has qualified. DPS estimates that the most expensive yearly salary increase could be $14,000.

The Association of Counties believes that the larger counties can absorb the increased salaries.

They say that it will be difficult for the smaller counties; however, they support HB 835.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DPS noted that HB 835 will probably create an increase in the amount of county sheriffs applying for the different levels of advanced training certifications, with an estimate of 30 of the 33 sheriffs applying for 3 levels in the first year, and one level per year after that. The additional application workload can be performed with existing staff.

CONFLICT

There is a conflict with HB 856, which is identical in language except for "but not to exceed those maximum salaries". The difference then becomes that under HB 835, a county sheriff that is already being paid at the maximum allowed salary could not gain any benefit from this bill.

LP/ar