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	Madalena		DATE TYPED	02-04-04		HB	460
SHORT TITLE		Santo Domingo Pueblo Veterans’ Outreach				SB
					ANALYST		Chabot

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$100.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Veterans’ Service Commission (VSC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 460 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to VSC for the purpose of contracting for veterans’ outreach services at the Pueblo of Santo Domingo.

Significant Issues

VSC states veterans have been underserved for benefits for many years. Each pueblo has its own local customs and in many cases their own language. These factors plays an important part in reaching out to veterans for whatever reason and would allow the agency to open new doors in reaching out to veterans and their families.

There are 21 Native American governmental entities in New Mexico and this bill would establish a precedent for separate funding for each entity with a cost to exceed the existing budget of the veterans’ service commission for current services. Consideration should be given to creating a position in the agency for outreach services to the Native American entities with contractual services appropriations for language interpretation to reach the Native American veterans.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

GAC/dm