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 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	Taylor		DATE TYPED	02/13/04		HB	91/aHEC
SHORT TITLE		NM Nursing Education Support				SB
					ANALYST		Williams

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$500.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB 25, SB 412, HB 341, HB 359

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

Department of Health (DOH)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico State University (NMSU)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment requires a program evaluation to be submitted to the legislative finance committee and the commission on higher education by August 2007.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 341 appropriates $500.0 thousand from the general fund to the board of regents at New Mexico State University to increase admissions and to support the nursing program.

Significant Issues

NMSU notes funding would increase enrollment; provide for graduate level nursing education focus and distance education strategies; year-round graduate nursing education; and establishment of an accelerated alternate entry BSN option for individuals with bachelor degrees in other disciplines, which will also contribute to faculty retention through paid summer employment.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500.0 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY05 would revert to the general fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

NMSU notes approximately 250 students enrolled in the nursing program at any given time.

DOH notes the severe nursing shortage nationally and in New Mexico and provides supporting data. Health Policy Commission notes New Mexico is below the national average for active registered nurses per 100,000 population.

DOH notes the proposal is consistent with the DOH Strategic Plan, Goal B for Program Area II: Assure access to and quality of basic health systems such as primary care, rural health (including community hospitals) and school health services.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Is this appropriation consistent with the institution’s strategic plan?
2. How would performance outcomes be measured?

AW/dm