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	Lujan, B		DATE TYPED	02/09/04		HJM	84
SHORT TITLE		Elimination of Food Insecurity in New Mexico				SB
					ANALYST		Koplik

APPROPRIATION

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

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 84 requests a report from the Task Force to End Hunger, detailing steps that state agencies and the private sector can take to eliminate food insecurity in New Mexico.

Significant Issues

New Mexico has the nation’s highest rate of food insecurity, with 14 percent of its people having limited or uncertain access to food. Five percent of its population is unable to afford sufficient food, the third highest rate in the United States. On October 16 and 17, 2003, the governor held a hunger summit to begin to address food insecurity, access, distribution and sufficiency within the state. The hunger summit created a Task Force to End Hunger in New Mexico, whose mandate is to develop tangible steps to end this scourge. During the first session of the forty-sixth legislature, House Joint Memorial 64 was approved, which requested that the Human Services Department develop a plan to address the under-use of food stamps in New Mexico.

Currently, House Joint Memorial 84 asks the Task Force to report its progress on the development and implementation of tangible steps to alleviate hunger by November 14, 2004, involving the state Agency on Aging, Department of Agriculture, Children, Youth, and Families Department, the Department of Health, and the Human Services Department. The memorial further asks that the state agencies commit reasonable resources and staff to the development of this report, and that the Task Force involve the private sector and non-profit organizations in the pursuit of this aim.

RLG/dm