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 a vailable 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 Lundstrom
DATE
TYPED 1/24/05 HB 179
SHORT TITLE Indian Arts Act Violator Prosecutions
SB
ANALYST Wilson
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$200.0
Recurring General Fund
Duplicates SB 47
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Responses Received From
Attorney General’s Office (AGO)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 179 appropriates $200 thousand from the general fund to the Office of the Attorney
General for the purpose of adding at least two full-time employees within the consumer protec-
tion division or the special prosecutions and investigations division of the AGO whose primary
duties will be the investigation and prosecution of violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Sales
Act.
Significant Issues
The overall purpose of the New Mexico Indian Arts and Crafts Sales Act is to protect Indian art-
ists and Indian art consumers from the rash of imitation arts and crafts entering the market. The
AG last received an appropriation to enforce this Act during FY 99. Enforcement efforts require
resources and without the financial resources to investigate and prosecute violations, both the
artisans and the consumer will remain vulnerable.