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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	Rawson		DATE TYPED	2/4/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Examine Barriers to NM Film Production				SB	SJM 48
					ANALYST		Collard

APPROPRIATION

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

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Economic Development Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 48 requests the Film Division of the Economic Development Department to study all barriers to film production in the state.

Significant Issues

The Economic Development Department (EDD) indicates the purpose of the memorial is to find out why there is a lack of film work outside of the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

EDD indicates the bill asks the division to address provisions in the film union contract, over which they have no jurisdiction. EDD also mentions the issue is a lack of trained film professionals outside of the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas. The work zones are set up by the union and not the Legislature, based on the numbers of workers living in those areas. Taos is the one additional area that has a healthy number of local film crews, but those individuals will generally travel to Santa Fe or Albuquerque to take a film job. Often the production company will consider making provisions for that individual. The union cannot set up a zone in an area unless there is close to one full crew living in that area, as it would hurt those individuals who would have to pay for their own housing and per diem. The department indicates the real issue is about training crews, not about union zones.

This memorial represents the growing frustration of towns such as Las Cruces, Silver City and Alamogordo about the lack of film activity in those areas.

KBC/prr