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	Harrison		DATE TYPED	2/16/04		HB	HJM 88/aHEC
SHORT TITLE		Revenue Sharing for Tribal Scholarships				SB
					ANALYST		Dunbar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
			See Narrative

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment inserts language to include the Legislative Finance Committee and the Legislative Education Study Committee in conjunction with the Indian Affaires Committee to study the feasibility of using tribal revenue sharing for tribal college student scholarships.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Joint Memorial 88 requests that the Interim Legislative Indian Affairs Committee study the financial resources available to tribal college students including the feasibility of using tribal revenue sharing for tribal college student scholarships. The memorial outlines the importance of tribal colleges and the role that they have played in providing education to Native Americans. Furthermore, the bill outlines the financial hardships with which tribal colleges and students attending tribal colleges have to cope.

Significant Issues

According to a report by Harvard University, generally tribal colleges have received little or no funding from state or local governments because they are located on federal trust land. Tribal land status prevents the levying of property taxes to support higher education, which is an important source of revenue for community colleges. Enrollment in tribal institutions across the country have also increased from 83,900 in 1980 to 138,800 in 1997, representing an increase of 65% in the last two decades.

Tribal colleges have played an important role in educating Native Americans. Native Americans attend tribal colleges for different reasons that include:

q rising tuition costs at public universities,

q proximity to homes and families,

q tribal colleges provide programs that are tailored to their educational choices.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

An additional cost to the Interim Legislative Indian Affairs Committee may occur in mileage and per diem.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The OIA will be required to attend legislative meetings and hearings.

BD/yr:lg:dm