REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE PROGRAMS FUNDED FROM THE LOCAL DWI GRANT FUND AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE REVENUE STABILIZATION AND TAX POLICY COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, the local DWI grant fund was created in 1993; and

WHEREAS, the local DWI grant fund provides funding for local programs that address the problem of New Mexico drivers driving while intoxicated and the related problem of alcohol addiction and abuse; and

WHEREAS, the local DWI grant fund receives a portion of the proceeds from the state liquor excise tax to provide this funding; and

WHEREAS, more than sixty-six million dollars ($66,000,000) of funding has been directed to local programs since the inception of the local DWI grant fund; and

WHEREAS, the legislature receives annual reports on the disbursements from the local DWI grant fund but does not receive evaluations on the effectiveness of these programs; and

WHEREAS, in order to evaluate the wisdom of continuing to direct liquor excise tax revenues to the local DWI grant fund, it is necessary for the legislature to have information on the performance and effectiveness of the programs that receive funding from the local DWI grant fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative finance committee be requested to conduct, in cooperation with the local government division of the department of finance and administration, a performance audit and evaluation of the programs funded from the local DWI grant fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the performance audit and evaluation consider the number of people that have been served by these programs; the success of the programs in limiting alcohol abuse and problems associated with driving while intoxicated in the areas served by the programs; the existence of follow-up programs and after-care for participants; and the existence of coordinated and regional approaches in program development and operation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee develop a report on its findings as to the effectiveness of the funding from the local DWI grant fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee report be presented to the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee prior to October 1, 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee be requested to hold hearings on the local DWI grant fund and make recommendations as to possible reforms in the distribution of liquor excise tax revenues to the local DWI grant fund or in the distributions from the local DWI grant fund to the first session of the forty-sixth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chairman of the legislative finance committee, the chairman of the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee and the secretary of finance and administration.