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

SPONSOR:	Begaye		DATE TYPED:	2/20/03		HB	606
SHORT TITLE:		Value of Cross-Cultural Educational Project				SB
					ANALYST:		Collard

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
$175.0				Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

Tourism Department

Office of Cultural Affairs

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 606 appropriates $175,000 from the general fund to the Tourism Department in FY03 and FY04 for the purpose of studying the value of cross-cultural education depicting northern New Mexico and Moroccan cultures to the Tourism Department and providing a marketing plan for the project. This bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $175.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY04 shall revert to the general fund. The Tourism Department indicates minimal fiscal implications, provided the appropriation would cover the department’s costs.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Tourism Department anticipates moderate administrative implications in the department would be required to develop request for proposals to have the study done by a contractor. Additionally, a staff member would be assigned to monitor the project.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The Tourism Department and the Office of Cultural Affairs both note New Mexico does not receive any measurable visitation from Morocco. The Tourism Department is open to the possibility of increased Moroccan exposure from this study.

KBC/njw