[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:	Rodriguez		DATE TYPED:	01/30/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		UNM Mock Trial Educational Program				SB	276
					ANALYST:		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$50.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB 257 (language is identical; appropriation amount is different)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 276 appropriates $50.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for the high school mock trial educational program at the UNM School of Law.

Significant Issues

Participants in the UNM high school mock trail program prepare an identified case(s) in conjunction with their teacher and an attorney coach and present their cases(s) in regional, state and national competitions. The purpose of the program is to promote an understanding of the United States Legal system. New Mexico High Schools began competing in this program at all levels of competition in 1979.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $50.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY2003 shall revert to the general fund.

DUPLICATION\RELATIONSHIP

The language in Senate Bill 276 is a duplicate of language in HB 257, but the amount in the house bill is $75.0.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

In its analysis of an identical bill introduced during the 2002 Legislative Session, the SDE states that the strengths of the previously funded program include: 1) strong alignment with and linking assessments to the New Mexico Student Competencies and New Mexico Content Standards and Benchmarks, 2) the implementation of good professional development practices, and 3) an active, hands-on learning approach for students. The program serves students and teachers well in active learning, using research and practice, and understanding the components of trial law in the United States judicial system.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following is submitted for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the bill:

This program was not included in the UNM Board of Regent’s budget request to the CHE. Consequently, the CHE did not review it.

LB/ar