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:

Salazar

 

DATE TYPED:

2/24/03

 

HB

735

 

SHORT TITLE:

Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, & Taos Heritage Area

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

L. Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$50.0

 

 

Recurring

GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation for Northern New Mexico Community College in the General

Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

Office of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Division (OCA)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 735 appropriates $50.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Northern New Mexico State School to develop educational and marketing materials, sponsor community meetings and school visits for the establishment of a heritage area that would preserve the culture, heritage and traditions of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Taos counties.

 

     Significant Issues

 

This request was not included in the NNMCC budget request to the NNMCC Board of Regents, and thus was not included in the list of priority projects submitted to the CHE for review.

 

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 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

This program is a new avenue for local communities and citizens to preserve the culture, heritage and traditions of the area while simultaneously promoting heritage tourism.  During the past 3 or 4 years, Northern New Mexicans have participated in grassroots activities to preserve and promote the unique culture of the area.  Senator Bingaman, who introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate that declared the three-county area a National Heritage Area, has aided their efforts, and, reportedly, is willing to re-introduce the bill.  According to OCA, National Heritage Areas are locally driven but qualify for federal assistance in planning and other technical support.

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The CHE suggests adding the following language for all new recurring higher education programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2003-2004):

 

“A plan for a program evaluation, including specific program goals and criteria for assessing program effectiveness, shall be submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by October 1, 2004.  An assessment of the program will be completed prior to June 30, 2005, and submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education.”

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

1.                  How have preservation activities been funded so far?

2.                  What kinds of local organizations are involved and can they provide any financial support?

3.                  What types of activities have been conducted to preserve the local traditions?

 

LRB/njw