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.
| SPONSOR: | SJC | DATE TYPED: | 03/06/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Public Peace, Health, Safety and Welfare | SB | 859/SJCS | ||||
| ANALYST: | Hayes | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| $ 1,221.7 | Recurring* | General Fund | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates/Relates to Appropriations in The General Appropriation Act; HB215.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Fiscal Impact Reports
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
SB859 appropriates $1,221.7 from the general fund to various courts and jurisdictions statewide for the purpose of funding:
1. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. For two additional judgeships to BCMC, including support staff, furniture, equipment and supplies (@ $516.4).
2. Second Judicial District Attorney. For salaries, furniture, equipment and supplies for "additional staff" (@ $156.5).
3. Public Defender Department. For additional public defender attorneys and support staff, including furniture, equipment and supplies (@308.8).
4. Administrative Office of the Courts. For 12.5 court clerks for various magistrate courts around the state (@ $240.0)
Both judges shall be appointed by the governor and will serve until the 2002 general election. The successors will be chosen at that general election and will hold office until the next general election four years later.
Effective date of the provisions of this bill is July 1, 2001.
Significant Issues
The Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for SB859 changes the language regarding the BCMC judgeships who were originally designated to solely hear domestic violence cases. The bill now states that BCMC's chief judge will assign domestic violence cases among all the judges at the court to ensure expeditious hearings.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $1,221.7 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.
DUPLICATION/RELATIONSHIP
HB215 contains duplicate judgeship requests for BCMC, along with additional funding for the Public Defender Department and the Second Judicial District Attorney.
The GAA currently contains funding for 23.5 additional courts clerks for the magistrate courts statewide.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
*Since part of the appropriation amounts are for capital items such as furniture and equipment,
the dollar amount of recurring versus non-recurring needs to be identified.
CMH/ar