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	Kernan		DATE TYPED	2-16-04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Study Statewide Pre-Kindergarten Programs					SJM-14
					ANALYST		Segura

APPROPRIATION

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

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 14 requests the PED and the Child Development Board to study the feasibility of statewide pre-kindergarten programs.

Significant Issues

The joint memorial request includes:

Licensed preschools programs offering services to four-year-old children and amend/align the standards of these programs.

The feasibility of phasing in a state-funded voluntary statewide pre-kindergarten program, beginning with programs to serve four-year-old children most in need based upon indicators in the at-risk index.

Review of methods and results of the Kindergarten Plus Pilot Program.

Report findings and recommendations to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) by November 2004, with copies transmitted to the Secretary of Public Education, the Chairperson of the Child Development Board and the Director of the LESC.

RS/yr