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	Nava		DATE TYPED	2/1/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Youth Violence Reduction Programs				SB	249
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$250.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education Funding Recommendations for FY05

Responses Received From

New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

Department of Health (DOH)

Public Defender Department (PDF)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 249 appropriates $250 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for the College of Education to support a regional network throughout New Mexico to support teachers incorporating services learning into standards-based education by providing training, technical assistance and project support for reducing youth violence.

Significant Issues

The DOH reports that “service learning” is an educational youth development strategy by which citizenship, academic subjects, skills and values are taught. Moreover, the DOH analysis states that research has shown that youth who have more social assets have a reduced risk for numerous anti-social behaviors. According to the PED, studies have shown that students who have successful service learning experiences are less likely to drop out of school and are more motivated to complete their programs.

In its analysis, the PED states that the 2003 Session of the State Legislature appropriated $350 thousand to UNM for a service learning program. This appropriation appears to support continuation of that program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $250 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY05 shall revert to the general fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This program expansion request was not among those submitted to the CHE by the UNM Board of Regents. Consequently, the Commission did not review it.

AMENDMENTS

The following language is suggested for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond FY05):

“The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2007 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program over a three period.”

LB/yr