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 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	SJC		DATE TYPED	2-16-04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare				SB	591/SJCS
					ANALYST		Reynolds-Forte

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$12,014.8			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for Amendment/SB 591 appropriates $12 million from the General Fund to the Corrections Department. $11 million is for salary and benefit increases for correctional officers, and $972 thousand is for salary and benefit increases for probation and parole officers and supervisors.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $12 million to the Corrections Department for salary and benefit increases for correctional officers and probation and parole officers and supervisors. This would be a recurring appropriation. Unexpended balances at the end of FY05 would revert to the General Fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

Correctional officers were provided substantial salary and benefit increases in recent years which brought starting salary from $8.50 per hour to $11.50. Correctional officers were provided 20 year retirement in the last legislative session.

The Corrections Department has testified they are experiencing large turnover rates with probation and parole officers and supervisors.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Is the Corrections Department having problems recruiting correctional officers?

PRF/dm