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

SPONSOR Salazar

DATE TYPED 02/18/05 HB 461

SHORT TITLE Northern NM State School Name & Mission

SB

ANALYST Williams

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

None

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to House Bill 328 and Senate Bill 321

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education

Northern New Mexico Community College

Public Education Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The bill changes the name of Northern New Mexico State School for common convenience from

Spanish American School at El Rito, to Northern New Mexico State School at El Rito also

known as Northern New Mexico Community College.

The bill removes existing statutory language limiting instruction linked to the contingency of the

University of New Mexico northern branch. Current statute allows for no more than two years

of college level academic instruction only when the University of New Mexico northern branch

(UNM Taos) is dissolved. The bill removes the two-year restriction and the requirement for dis-

solution of the Northern Branch.

The bill removes from statute a portion of language enacted by the 2004 legislature regarding a

baccalaureate degree program in teacher education. House Bill 461 removes the authorization

contingencies to: 1) develop and prepare the program for implementation and 2) Be ready to re-

ceive the accreditation review team. Further, this bill would remove statutory references to a

partnership with New Mexico Highlands University.

House Bill 461-- Page 2

Significant Issues

“CHE notes that “the use of a name of common convenience allows the institution to use the

name in all instances except for financial transactions. The use of a common name obviates the

need for a Constitutional amendment.”

Northern New Mexico Community College (NNMCC) notes the name change would restore a

name previously used in the 1960’s. Also, NNMCC notes the bill restores to the board of re-

gents authority to initiate programs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill does not include an appropriation.

AW/lg