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

SPONSOR	Madalena		DATE TYPED	2/6/04		HB	458
SHORT TITLE		Native American Student Leadership Program				SB
					ANALYST		Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$50.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Public Education

Department of Indian Affairs

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 458 appropriates $50 thousand from the general fund to the Department of Indian Affairs for the purpose of contracting with the Santa Fe Indian School for a summer leadership and policy program for Native American high school students in Santa Fe.

Significant Issues

The Department of Indian Affairs reports:

The median age of the American Indian population is twenty-two and the state’s youth population is growing faster than any other segment of Indian society. Investments in youth development are essential. Most tribal efforts towards youth development focus on at-risk youth to decrease the use or abuse of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Little efforts have been targeted to students who have interests in policy and leadership efforts. The Santa Fe Indian School has an infrastructure in place to do this.

The New Mexico Public Education Department adds the following:

In 1998-99, a summer leadership/policy program was piloted to introduce native youth in grades 9-12 to four levels of policy-making governments -- federal, state, tribal and local (city/county) -- for an initiative to prepare them for appointed leadership roles within pueblo communities as well as other native communities. Fifty students participated in the summer leadership/policy program representing approximately 21 New Mexico tribes. Students were recommended to participate in the program by teachers and tribes based on leadership quality. During the implementation of the pilot program, undergraduate and graduate Native American college students representing different professional fields were utilized as mentors, facilitators and role models. The summer leadership/policy program curriculum included a tribal community service component that students must fulfill as part of the program. According to the Leadership Institute, the curriculum is designed to include elementary and middle school levels. The Santa Fe Indian School will provide the necessary facilities to support a two-week summer leadership/policy program.

Native American student participation representing various school systems within the Santa Fe area will provide the opportunity for students to interact and share personal experiences in order to establish viable partnerships on behalf of their tribes.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $50 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

MW/yr