Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us). Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR	Ogle		DATE TYPED	02/04/04		HB	HJM 61
SHORT TITLE		Methamphetamine Lab Closure Protocol				SB
					ANALYST		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
			NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 61 requests the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Children, and Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to meet and establish statewide protocols for use when a methamphetamine lab is raided and closed down.

Protocols should address procedures for diagnosing and safely removing children who have been residing in a methamphetamine lab and the above departments should seek counsel from the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency regarding the development of statewide protocols.

Copies of this memorial should be transmitted to the secretaries of DPS, DOH, and CYFD.

Significant Issues

Establishing statewide protocols for closing down methamphetamine labs is critical since:

· New Mexico is experiencing a drug and health crisis due to the manufacture of methamphetamine in our state;

· Methamphetamine manufacture and use have expanded by more than two hundred percent in recent years;

· The absence of protocols creates a health and safety hazard for first responders; and in many instances, children live in the methamphetamine labs and are exposed to the toxins used to manufacture methamphetamine; and

· The absence of protocols means that children's health problems may not be diagnosed when a methamphetamine lab is raided and closed down.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SJM 61 will require staff from DPS, DOH, CYFD, and other agencies to work together collaboratively to develop effective protocols for closing methamphetamine labs.

RLG/dm