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:

Anderson

 

DATE TYPED:

2/14/03

 

HB

HJM 19/a HAFC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Study Law Enforcement Communication Systems

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Maloy

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

See Narrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Office of Military Affairs

Department of Public Safety

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of HAFC Amendments

                       

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee amendment to HJM 19 make two changes:

 

1.  The correction of terminology referencing public safety participants in the study.  The amendment strikes the wording “law enforcement” and replaces it with “public safety” throughout the Memorial.

 

2.  The amendment reassigns responsibility for conducting the study to the “communications engineer of the general services department” rather than the “department of public safety”. 

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Joint Memorial 19 requests that the Department of Public Safety conduct a study of all   law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico to determine what communication systems are used, and determine which, if any, are most effective.

 

The Department is to report its findings to a legislative interim committee no later than October 31, 2003.

 

Significant Issues

 

  1. Different law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico use different communications equipment and systems.

 

  1. Different systems have different capabilities.

 

  1. The rural nature of much of New Mexico creates gaps in the coverage of the different  systems.

 

  1. These systems are essential to immediate, effective responses at the frontlines of law enforcement and emergency services.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

HJM 19 contains no appropriation, and the costs associated with this study will be minimal. It will require that the Department to dedicate staff time and some minimal budget resources to the study.  Also, the Department will need to invite participation from individuals outside the agency with expertise to assist in the study.   

 

SJM/ls:yr