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	Taylor, J.G.		DATE TYPED	2/5/04		HB	389
SHORT TITLE		Courses at UNM Regional Studies Center				SB
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

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

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Educati0n funding Recommendations for FY05 (CHE)

Responses Received From

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 389 appropriates $500 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for the Center for Regional Studies for support, curriculum development, research and instruction for courses related to New Mexico ands the American southwest.

Significant Issues

The need for quality materials to accompany curricula on New Mexico and the Southwest that is based on quality research had long been acknowledged. This bill proposes to begin to address that need. It is unclear, however, whether the activities proposed address the need in public schools or post-secondary institutions - or both.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500 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.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This request was not among those submitted for FY05 funding by the UNM Board of Regents to the CHE. Consequently, the Commission did not review this request.

To foster and ensure accountability, the institution receiving the appropriation in this bill should submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by a date to be determined by the Commission detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program.

LB/njw