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

Griego

DATE TYPED

1/26/2004

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

Alcohol Server Training Program Effectiveness

SB

171

 

 

ANALYST

Aguilar

 

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$272.6

 

 

Non-Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)

Public Defender Department (PDD)

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 171 appropriates $272.6 thousand  from the general fund to the Alcohol and Gaming Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department for the purpose of increasing the overall effectiveness of the state-mandated alcohol server training program.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 reverts to the general fund.

 

Significant Issues

 

The Regulation and Licensing Department has introduced a new “up front” regulation initiative designed to effectively train and educate the public and industry members.  The primary focus of the initiative is to reduce the need and expense of enforcement litigation, penalties and deterrence activities.  This initiative is designed to increase and improve the knowledge and skill of instructors and students and curtail alcohol related issues such as sales of alcoholic beverages to minors and intoxicated persons.  The department also notes that the program anticipates a corresponding reduction in DWI incidents statewide. The request includes one time costs for program and curriculum development.


Recurring costs for program operation is expected to be derived from an application fee of $20 dollars.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $272.6 thousand contained in this bill is a non-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.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

Alcohol and Gaming Division staff will be required to monitor the program.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

Senate Bill 171 does not provide for the recurring costs of implementing the program.  Consideration should be given to the creation of a fund into which the proceeds of the application fee are deposited.  Yearly legislative approval of appropriation requests from the fund as a part of the agency budget request should also be considered.

 

A 1 FTE expansion may be necessary to allow the division to provide oversight of the program.

 

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