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 for other purposes.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

SCORC

 

DATE TYPED:

 3/4/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Creating Office of Mexican Affairs

 

SB

108/SCORCS/aSCORC

 

 

ANALYST:

Martinez/Collard

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

See Narrative

    

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

 SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Economic Development Department

State Highway and Transportation Department

 

Responses Not Received From

Governor’s Office

Border Authority

 

SUMMARY

           

     Synopsis of SCORC Amendment

 

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee amendment changes the name of the “Mexican Affairs and Trade Division” to the “Trade and Mexican Affairs Division”.  The amendment changes reference to the division accordingly throughout the committee substitute.            

    

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 108 renames the Trade Division of the Economic Development Department as the “Mexican Affairs and Trade Division” and defines the additional responsibilities of the division to conduct and coordinate the state’s relations with the Republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua to promote New Mexico products and services.    The bill requires that the division coordinate improvements in relations, trade activity and border development funding with the Tourism Department, the Office of Cultural Affairs, the State Highway and Transportation Department, the Department of Health, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Public Safety, the New Mexico Border Commission, the Border Authority and the Border Research Institute at New Mexico State University.  In addition, the newly merged division is required to provide periodic reports to the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee regarding New Mexico-Mexico relations, trade activity and border development.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The bill formalizes the current activity of the Trade Division to include specific responsibility for conducting and coordinating relations with the Republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There is no appropriation associated with this bill; however, the Economic Development Department states the change in the division name will require reprinting of all informational and promotional material, thus an appropriation of $10.0 is needed for reprinting costs.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The Economic Development Department indicates minimal administrative implications, as the department already focuses on trade with Mexico.  The State Highway and Transportation Department notes as long as each agency involved retains the same powers and duties, there are minimal implications.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

  1. Why would the newly created division be required to provide reports to the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee?

 

  1. What is potential effect upon federal funds?

 

  1. Will the additional responsibility require additional resources for the Economic Development Department?

 

MM:KBC/ls