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/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act Relates to HB388, HB373, SB260

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 149 appropriates $456.5 from the general fund to various institutions of higher education to support dental auxiliary career ladder education.

Significant Issues

In 1997, as a response to the dental health professional community, the CHE formed a task force to address concerns for additional oral health personnel in New Mexico and the need for a career ladder model for dental education.

Since 1997, two-year institutions throughout the state have undertaken coordinated curriculum planning and infrastructure development to support dental assisting and dental hygiene training programs. CHE notes that dental education programs generate funding through the higher education funding formula.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $456.5 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

The funds are appropriated as follows:

$200.0 Roswell Branch (ENMU)

$100.0 Northern New Mexico Community College (NNMCC)

$156.5 Dona Ana Branch (NMSU)

$456.5

It should be noted, the Dona Ana Branch did not request continuation funding for the dental hygiene program in FY02 in the amount of $50.0.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

This bill relates to HB388. House Bill 388 also appropriates $156.5 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University to support the dental auxiliary career ladder education program at the Dona Ana Branch.

This bill relates to SB260. Senate Bill 260 appropriates $75.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Eastern New Mexico University to support a dental hygiene program at the Roswell Branch Campus.

This bill relates to HB373. House Bill 373 also appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Eastern New Mexico University to support a dental auxiliary career ladder education program at the Roswell Branch Campus.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

SB149 is supported by the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee.

The following is provided for information only, it is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program.

According to CHE, this project was not submitted by NMSU Board of Regents to CHE for funding consideration.

This project was not submitted by ENMU Board of Regents to CHE for funding consideration.

This project was not submitted by NNMCC Board of Regents to CHE for funding consideration.

CTF/njw