[1] NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Marquardt		DATE TYPED:	01/23/02		HB	169
SHORT TITLE:		Agricultural Workers Unemployment Benefits				SB
					ANALYST:		Woodlee

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Labor Department (LD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 169 amends Section 51-1-42 NMSA 1978 to exclude temporary alien agricultural laborers from receiving unemployment compensation benefits. Additionally, employers are not required to pay payroll tax for these employees.

Significant Issues

According to the Labor Department, this bill will put New Mexico’s unemployment compensation laws in conformity with federal unemployment laws. In addition, the agency indicates that if this bill does not pass, then employers may lose the current 5.1 percent payroll tax credit granted by the federal government.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation or significant fiscal implication associated with this bill.

MW/ar:prr