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	Campos		DATE TYPED	1/27/04		HB	35
SHORT TITLE		9th District Domestic Violence Hearing Staff				SB
					ANALYST		Koplik

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$15.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Administrative Office of the Courts

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 35 appropriates $15 thousand from the general fund to the Ninth Judicial District Court for the purpose of supplementing the expenditures for a contractual domestic violence hearing officer and file/intake clerk.

Significant Issues

The Administrative Office of the Courts reports that the general fund appropriation falls short of the district’s base request, and that additional funding is needed due to the expanding caseload of the domestic violence hearing officer. The sometimes overwhelming pressures and conflicts facing young military couples residing at Cannon Air Force Base means that Clovis has a high domestic violence rate. Indeed, it may have the highest rate of divorce in New Mexico. Furthermore, the Ninth Judicial District has two judges, while the judiciary’s weighted caseload study has concluded that it needs three. This funding will help the district manage its high case volume. The Ninth Judicial District requested an equivalent supplemental appropriation for FY 2004. Its fiscal practices serve as a model for all district courts in the state.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $15 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

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