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)

Relates to: Senate Bill 260, Senate Bill 149, and House Bill 388

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission for Higher Education (CHE) - No Response

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 564 appropriates $50.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico (UNM) for the UNM School of Medicine Dental Services Division to fund dental care services to patients with special needs.

Significant Issues

Funding in this bill will allow the UNM Dental Services Division to more effectively train dentists in the treatment of pediatric and developmentally disabled patients. Additionally, UNM will work with the New Mexico Dental Association to develop a clearinghouse of dentists willing to provide care for economically disadvantaged and special needs patients.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $50.0 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.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Senate Bill 149 appropriates $456.5 in FY02 to support dental auxiliary career ladder education programs as follows: $200.0 to ENMU to establish a dental auxiliary education program at the Roswell campus; $100.0 to Northern New Mexico Community College to establish a dental auxiliary program at the El Rito campus; and $156.5 to New Mexico State University to establish a dental auxiliary program at the Doña Ana campus.

Senate Bill 260 appropriates $75.0 from the general fund to ENMU to develop and support a dental hygiene program at the Roswell campus.

House Bill 388 appropriates $156.5 from the general fund to New Mexico State University to support the dental auxiliary career ladder education program at their Doña Ana campus.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The New Mexico Health Policy Commission's Fall 1999 response to the 1998 Senate Joint Memorial 21 found a shortage of trained oral health care personnel in New Mexico and recommended enhanced funding to New Mexico posts-secondary institutions to support dental education programs.

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

This program was not included in UNM's budget request to the UNM Board of Regents, and thus was not submitted by UNM to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) for review.

The CHE did not recommend funding this program expansion.

LG/prr