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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Campos, J.

 

DATE TYPED:

2/26/03

 

HB

946

 

SHORT TITLE:

 Agricultural Education Programs

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

L. Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

$837.1

 

 

 

Recurring

GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Similar to: HB 387, Statewide Agricultural Programs

     SB 536, Statewide Agricultural Education Programs

 

Relates to: HB 478, Statewide Career & Technical Education

 

Relates to the Appropriation New Mexico State University in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

State Department of Education (SDE)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)

 

SUMMARY

   

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 946 appropriates $837.1 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) for expenditure in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to support the continuation of agricultural education programs statewide.

 

The bill contains an emergency clause.

 

     Significant Issues

 

This expansion request was not included in ENMU’s budget request to the ENMU Board of Regents, and thus was not included in the list of priority projects submitted by ENMU to the CHE


for review. Funds for these programs flowed through SDE in previous years, and this is probably one reason why CHE was not asked to review the request.

 

The appropriation in this bill is intended for use to support the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Vocational Agriculture programs, two programs technically under the SDE but whose functions have been carried out through the NMDA at NMSU since 1975.  These programs have been used to encourage students to decide on a career in agriculture and/or related fields.  The programs have been popular and served to help students decide on a career.  However, while New Mexico’s economy is expected to generate nearly 185,000 jobs during the next ten years, the Department of Labor reports agriculture is one of two industries showing a negative growth percentage.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $837.1 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.

 

Using federal funds, the SDE currently funds two positions and contracts for a third for these two and related educational programs at New Mexico State University (NMSU).   This request appears to be a bid to establish a grassroots FFA office ENMU.

 

Since no budget is available, it is not known whether ENMU intends to add staff or whether outsourcing is planned.

 

RELATIONSHIP

 

HB 946 is similar to HB 387 and SB 536 in terms of intent.  However, HB 387 directs the $837.1 appropriation to NMSU, and SB 536 appropriates $250.0 to NMSU.

 

HB 946 relates to HB 478, which appropriates $600.0 to provide career and technical education programs for public school students to assist with technical skills, knowledge and training needed to succeed in the occupation or careers of their choice.

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The CHE suggests adding the following language for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current 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.               What types of activities will be conducted with this appropriation?

2.               To date, federal funding has been used for these activities. Why is an additional $837.1 million needed?

3.               How will this fit in with other, related career development programs?

4.               Will the proposed activities conflict with or support those conducted by NMSU?

5.               Two bills introduced direct the appropriation to NMSU.  Why is this appropriation

      directed to ENMU?

6.               Why do two almost identical bills request $837.1 and one requests $250.0?

7.               Is a budget available to indicate how the appropriation will be expended?

 

LRB/sb/njw