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

SPONSOR:	HGUAC		DATE TYPED:	03/12/03		HB	1002/HGUACS
SHORT TITLE:		Public Peace, Health, Safety and Welfare				SB
					ANALYST:		Chabot

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

$50.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Government and Urban Affairs Committee Substitute for House Bill 1002 appropriates $50.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission for the purpose of developing a program to identify the veterans in all the counties in New Mexico.

Significant Issues

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs estimates there are 190,000 veterans in New Mexico; however, VSC does not have a database indicating who these individuals are or where they are located. Knowing this information will assist VSC in targeting veteran populations to ensure they receive assistance in obtaining the benefits to which they are entitled.

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 fiscal year shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

VSC will have to determine what the best method will be to obtain the information about veterans throughout the state.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Has VSC contacted other state agencies, such as the Taxation and Revenue Department, to assist the agency in obtaining this information?

GAC/njw