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)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

CHE Files - Special Funding Requests Submitted by NMSU

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 383 appropriates $500.0 to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for an endowed chair in electrical engineering at the NMSU Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Significant Issues

This appropriation would be matched by $500.0 from private donors and unexpended and unencumbered balances do not revert to the general fund. According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE), NMSU does not currently have an endowed chair in electrical engineering.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall not revert to the general fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program/project.

A request for this appropriation was not included in NMSU's budget request to the NMSU Board of Regents, it was not approved by the NMSU Board of Regents, and it was not submitted by NMSU to the CHE for review. The CHE did not recommend funding this program.

LG/njw:ar