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 Stapleton

DATE TYPED 03-01-05 HB 795/aHEC

SHORT TITLE UNM Distance-Learning Math-Science Curriculum SB

ANALYST Woods

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 the appropriation for the University of New Mexico in the General Appropriations

Act.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)

No Response Received From

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

House Education Committee Amendment to HB795 adds the following language to the legisla-

tion:

•

On page 1, line 20, after “a” the phrase “middle and high school” is inserted.

•

On page 1, line 21, after “curriculum” the phrase “that provides individualized

assignments and immediate feedback to each student through use of the cyber-

quest web-based learning program and the robotic teacher software” is inserted.

House Education Committee Amendment to HB795 adds no additional appropriation to the leg-

islation.

House Bill 795/aHEC -- Page 2

Original Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 795 – Making an Appropriation to the University of New Mexico’s Charlie Morrisey

Research Hall to Provide Distance-Learning, Web-Based Math-Science Academic Curriculum –

appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of New

Mexico for the Charlie Morrisey Research Hall for expenditure in FY06 to provide a distance-

learning, web-based math-science academic curriculum. Any unexpended or unencumbered bal-

ance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

PED indicates that distance-learning web-based curriculum gives rural communities access to

high-quality course and enhanced curriculum. It also gives flexibility to non-traditional students,

whether they need accommodations, are homebound for medical or behavioral issues or are in

danger of dropping out.

PED adds that the web-based learning lab, which would be open to community access, would

have 25 stations and be housed in the performing arts center at the state fair grounds. Further,

that the curriculum – whether it is available for purchase or developed for this lab – should be

aligned to the New Mexico Content Standards, Benchmarks and Performance Standards and be

research-based.

This project is not included in CHE’s 2005-2006 Higher Education Funding Recommendation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The University of New Mexico would retain oversight of this initiative.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to the appropriation for the University of New Mexico in the General Appropriations

Act.

BFW/yr