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

Park

DATE TYPED

1/30/04

HB

338

 

SHORT TITLE

Domestic Abuse Victim Substitute Addresses

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST

Wilson

 

REVENUE

 

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

 

Minineal

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Response Received From

Public Defender Department (PDD)

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 338 allows a victim of domestic violence, or the victim's representative pursuant to Section 31-26-3 NMSA 1978, who has good reason to believe that the victim's safety is at risk, to apply to the Secretary of State for the use of the Secretary of State as a substitute address.

 

The application shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of State and shall include:

 

    • A statement that the Secretary of State is acting as an agent of the victim for purposes of the forwarding of mail.

 

    • A new mailing address for forwarding received mail and a telephone number where the victim can be contacted by the secretary of state.

 

    • Payment of a $75.00 application fee, which may be waived if the applicant is indigent.

 

    • The signature of the victim or the victim's representative.

The Secretary of State shall maintain a confidential record of applications for a substitute address and forward any mail received on behalf of a victim of domestic abuse to the new mailing address provided on the application.

 

Significant Issues

 

Nationally, there have been a number of cases when a domestic abuser has harassed and attacked a victim—even when there is a Restraining Order in place. Many of these victims have been seriously hurt or even killed. The provisions of this bill will help a domestic abuse victim to keep her address from her abuser.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There is no way to determine how many victims will use the services provided for in this bill,

but based on the experience of the Insurance Division of the Public Regulation Commission, the number of victims requesting this service will not be large.

 

After the Secretary of State’s office has developed the form, the $75 fee should cover the cost of forwarding mail.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The Secretary of State’s staff should be able to handle the provisions of this bill with existing staff.

 

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