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	Maes		DATE TYPED	1/23/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Paisano Program for Mexican Immigrants				SB	37
					ANALYST		Gilbert

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)

Duplicates HB 55

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Attorney General’s Office (AGO)

New Mexico Border Authority (NMBA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 37 appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Border Authority to support the paisano program to provide assistance to Mexican nationals living in the United States who want to visit their families in Mexico during the Christmas holiday season.

Significant Issues

This appropriation would be used by the Border Authority to promote New Mexico ports to paisanos, to assist Mexican agencies in expediting document processing, and to provide crossing information and conveniences such as restrooms to paisanos waiting border processing. It would also be used to assist Mexican agencies in establishing Santa Teresa/San Jeronimo as a paisano entry point.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $50.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Border Authority is adequately staffed to conduct the paisano assistance program, and the duties associated with this bill would be conducted primarily by professional services contractors.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Attorney General’s Office states that this bill could violate the anti-donation clause (N.M. Const. Art. IX, sec. 14) if the Border Authority were to make donations directly to individuals to assist with their expenses relating to travel to Mexico.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the Border Authority, this program supports Governor Richardson’s commitment to increase trade and tourism with Mexico and complements the Tourism Department’s ongoing two nation vacation promotion.

RLG/yr