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	1/31/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		UNM & NMSU Joint Civic Engagement Initiative				SB	269
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$80.0			Recurring	General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

NMSU, College of Education

New Mexico Department of Public Education (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 269 appropriates $80.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of NMSU for the Regional Educational Technology Assistance Program in the College of Education, in conjunction with the community learning and public service program of the College of Education at the University of New Mexico, to implement a web-based civic curriculum and develop and sustain annual teacher institutes on civic education.

Significant Issues

The NMSU analysis reports the more than 33 years of Phi Delta Gamma Gallup Poll results show that Americans believe the primary purpose of education is to prepare individuals to become responsible citizens. This belief is reinforced by the National Council of Social Studies whose publications repeatedly stress that a primary goal of public education is to prepare students to become effective citizens, according to the PED analysis. This funding request is consistent with those beliefs and is an initiative intended to improve the effectiveness of public school in achieving this goal. In addition, the aims of this proposal are consistent with the reform efforts of both the state and the federal government.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $80.0 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 proposal was not among those presented by the board of regents of either NMSU or UNM to the CHE. 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/lg:yr