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

Mc Sorley

DATE TYPED

02/04/04

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

2nd District Court Family Counseling Services

SB

355

 

 

ANALYST

Koplik

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$30.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Administrative Office of the Courts

Public Defender Department

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 255 appropriates $30 thousand from the general fund to the 2nd Judicial District for the purpose of contracting with a counseling center that provides family counseling, including educational services, mediation, family and individual therapy.

 

     Significant Issues 

 

The 2nd Judicial District Court’s budget is included in the judiciary’s unified budget.  The total general fund base request for FY 2005 to fund current level of operations for the court is $15.8 million.  General fund appropriations recommended in House Bill 2 and 8 and Senate Bill 97 include funding to maintain the current level of services provides by the family counseling program. 

 

 The additional funding of $30,000 would expand the level of family counseling services in the Second Judicial District Court, though the Administrative office of the Courts notes that the proposed legislation is not part of the judiciary’s unified budget.  On the other hand, the Public Defender Department states that criminal charges arising out of acts of domestic violence are a substantial drain on its resources. Any funding for prevention of domestic violence will result in a savings to the department.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $30 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.  Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

 

RLG/prr