[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:

Feldman

 

DATE TYPED:

2/2/02

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Temporary Emergency Licenses

 

SB

136

 

 

ANALYST:

J. Sandoval

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC files

 

Responses Received From

Regulation and Licensing Department

Department of Health

 

No Response

 

Attorney General’s Office

 

SUMMARY

 

Senate Bill 136 enacts a new section of the Uniform Licensing Act that allows for licensing of individuals in times of emergency, to practice certain regulated professions if approved by the Department of Health or the Department of Public Safety to meet an emergency need.  Those who are issued a license under an emergency situation must hold a license, certificate or other permit that is issued by a state or territory of the United States and which is evidence of meeting qualifications for professional, mechanical or other skills that may be credentialed.

 

     Significant Issues

 

An emergency includes any man-made or natural disaster causing or threatening widespread physical or economic harm that is beyond local control and requires the resources of the state.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The State may have liability insurance costs for those individuals who provide services in an emergency situation, as well as any other administrative costs incurred.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

None reported.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

According to the Department of Health, “Emergency response preparedness requires that the broad range of activities required to assure the health and safety of New Mexicans include the potential for an increased professional workforce that can be readily and easily deployed to assist in a number of health, social, environmental and other key response functions having an immediate impact on the citizenry.  In addition to those individuals who are needed to deal with the actual disaster situation, many more are needed over the course of the following year or more to assist with physical, emotional, and financial recovery of the affected communities… SB 136 would allow individuals from New Mexico, other states and territories to be added to the workforce cadre, increasing the states ability to successfully respond to an emergency in any part of the state and work effectively with local, state or federal agents engaged in addressing the emergency event.”

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

  1. Will state agencies be able to administer the surge in license activity to ensure the required services during an emergency?
  2. Will state liability incurred by waiving the tort claims act with respect to temporary licensees result in a manageable risk to the stat?
  3. What sort of coordination is there between agencies on emergency preparedness?

 

JFS/njw

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