Master FIR (1988)

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

SPONSOR:	Smith		DATE TYPED:	01/31/01		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Appropriations for WNMU Programs				SB	203
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01

FY02

FY01

FY02

$ 942.6

Recurring

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

New Mexico Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

CHE Fund Appropriation Matrix FY02

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 203 appropriates $942.6 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Western New Mexico University (WNMU) for programs at the university.

Significant Issues

•This bill appropriates $52.0 to implement the authentic competency-based technology-enhanced integrated versatile evaluative curriculum at WNMU; and

•Appropriates $890.6 to implement an integrated instructional network.

All New Mexico higher educational institutions were asked to provide the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) with an overall priority listing of all new and expansion research and public service project requests. According to the CHE, WNMU provided a categorical priority list to the CHE, but did not include a request for these programs. NMSU also did not receive formal approval from their governing board for these programs.

The CHE did not recommend the appropriation included in this bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The $942.6 appropriation 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.

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/ar