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	Saavedra		DATE TYPED	2/2/04		HB	253
SHORT TITLE		UNM Pediatric Oncology Program				SB
					ANALYST		Williams

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$300.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

Relates to HB 366 and HB 367

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education funding Recommendations for FY05

Responses Received From

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 253 appropriates $300 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for the pediatric oncology program at the New Mexico Health Sciences Center.

Significant Issues

The Pediatric Oncology program was established at the UNM HSC and is the only provider of care for children with cancer in New Mexico. A program expansion for $390 thousand was included in the UNM Board of Regents funding recommendations to the CHE, and the Commission included a funding increase of $300 thousand in its recommended priorities for FY05 to the Legislature.

This increase is considered badly needed because, UNM HSC reports, the Pediatric Oncology program has been negatively impacted by a 15% general fund reduction in FY03 and 5% in FY04.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $300 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.

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.”

AW/lg