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.





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





SPONSOR: Rawson DATE TYPED: 03/15/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Reimbursement for Counties Bordering Mexico SB SJM-84
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)







REVENUE



Estimated Revenue
Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02
$ 4,700.0 See Fiscal Implication Narrative Recurring Local Government

(Federal Revenue)



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)





SOURCES OF INFORMATION



No Agency Analysis Provided



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Joint Memorial 84 requests the U.S. Congress to appropriate adequate funds to reimburse counties that share boundaries with Mexico for costs associated with federal immigration and drug laws and policies that result in those counties providing law enforcement, criminal justice and emergency medical services for undocumented aliens.



Significant Issues



The joint memorial indicates that approximately $108 million was spent in fiscal year 1999 by all twenty-four counties of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas that border Mexico for law enforcement, emergency services and criminal justice for illegal immigrants.



The memorial indicates that because New Mexico ranks 14th among states in providing services to undocumented aliens, it does not qualify for federal reimbursement authorized under Section 4723 of the federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The federal government, according to the memorial, also has a threshold to what amount of narcotics is considered a federal crime, and traffickers will often carry an amount just below this threshold to avoid federal charges. This results in more costs to the state.



The joint memorial explains that there are some costs reimbursed to the counties; however, the burden on small, rural counties is greater than what is reimbursed. It indicates that as a direct result of the immigration and drug laws and policies of the United States government, New Mexico's border counties bear a huge financial burden, while lacking adequate resources to address this burden.



The memorial resolves that the U.S. Congress be requested to appropriate sufficient funding to reimburse the counties for these costs and requests the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to unite with delegations from other border states to pass legislation for the reimbursement.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



There is no appropriation associated with this joint memorial. However, the memorial indicates that the New Mexico border counties incurred costs of $4,700.0 in 1999 for services related to undocumented aliens. If the U.S. Congress authorizes reimbursement pursuant to this memorial, there is possible federal revenue of $4,700.0 to the local and county governments of Dona Ana, Luna and Hidalgo counties.



MW/njw