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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Madelena

DATE TYPED 01/24/05 HB 219

SHORT TITLE Native American Veterans Outreach Program

SB

ANALYST Chabot

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$100.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)

Veterans’ Services Department (VSD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 219 appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to VSD for the purpose of es-

tablishing an outreach program to assist Native American veterans in obtaining benefits to which

they are entitled.

Significant Issues

VSD has 16 veteran service officers throughout the state but none are located on pueblo or tribal

lands. Several years ago, VSD had a Native American veteran service officer that provided out-

reach services to Native Americans. When the individual left the department, a Native American

was not selected to fill the position.

DIA states it has received comments and input from New Mexican Native American veterans

stating a properly coordinated outreach program is necessary to address their “dire needs.”

House Bill 29 -- Page 2

While Native Americans have served their country in disproportionately higher numbers than

others, they may not have access to resources—health care, housing, social services, etc.—

available to other veterans or to the general public. This bill would help address this need.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

A veteran service officer dedicated to Native American veteran issue could lead to improved sat-

isfaction of VSD efforts to obtain benefits.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall

revert to the general fund.

The LFC FY06 appropriation recommendation is balanced between revenues and expenditures

and any increase in recurring funding must be offset by reductions in other areas of the recom-

mendation. The Legislature must consider all priorities and funding requirements to find reve-

nue to support this legislation.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

Veterans outreach would be accomplished by the existing veteran service officers.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1.

Can an existing veteran service officer position be realigned to support this requirement.

2.

Is a new FTE required for this program.

GAC/lg