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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Aragon

 

DATE TYPED:

2/12/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Tobacco Cessation Program for Veterans

 

SB

538

 

 

ANALYST:

Chabot

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$600.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation in the 2002 General Appropriation Act that provides $600.0 for the tobacco revenue settlement program fund for assistance to Veterans with lung disease.

 

Relates to SB 133, SB 402 and HB599

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission (VSC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 402 appropriates $600.0 from the general fund to VSC for the purpose of providing a tobacco cessation program for veterans. 

 

     Significant Issues

 

The 2002 General Appropriation Act has a $600.0 appropriation to VCS for assistance to Veterans with lung disease.  The appropriation is to provide temporary housing, transportation and out-reach.  VSC signed a contract for these services in January 2003, six months into the fiscal year.  It will not be able to spend the appropriation in fiscal year 2003.  No data is available about the effectiveness of this program.

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $600.0 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.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

  1. Can the appropriation in the 2002 General Appropriation Act for services to Veterans with lung disease be extended through 2004 to determine whether the service provided is cost effective costs?
  2. Other than funding source, is this the same appropriation as found in the 2002 General Appropriations Act or is this a change in purpose?
  3. Is this appropriation to be used only for veterans or can it be part of a statewide tobacco cessation program that includes veterans?

 

GAC/yr