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

SPONSOR Varela

DATE TYPED 2/18/05

HB 842

SHORT TITLE Santa Fe Fiesta

SB

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION

(in $000s)

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$50.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Tourism Department

Cultural Affairs Department (DCA)

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 842 would appropriate $50,000 from the general fund to the Cultural Affairs Depart-

ment (DCA) in FY06 to plan, promote and conduct the Santa Fe fiesta.

Significant Issues

The Santa Fe Fiesta traces its roots to a 1712 proclamation establishing the first Fiesta de Santa

Fe. The Santa Fe Fiesta Council is a volunteer organization created by the original proclamation

and including 100 members plus representatives of 20 civic organizations and businesses.

Events include the Fiesta Queen and her Court, a reenactment of the entry of Don Diego de Var-

gas and his 17-member retinue, two parades, dancing, singing, arts and crafts, and religious pro-

cessions. La Fiesta begins the Thursday after Labor Day, with the burning of Zozobra (Old Man

House Bill 842 -- Page 2

Gloom), the most distinctively Anglo contribution to the more than 290-year-old celebration.

Festivities continue throughout the weekend with a children’s pet parade, a historical/hysterical

parade, regional food and more. La Fiesta de Santa Fe is organized each year by the Santa Fe

Fiesta Council.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The Tourism Department indicated it is supportive of activities and events that result in increas-

ing the number of tourists to New Mexico. With its historical and cultural significance, the Santa

Fe fiesta is one of the grand attractions held in New Mexico each year.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $50,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would revert to the

general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DCA indicates that funding would most likely be administered by the department’s New Mexico

Arts division through an established granting process. An RFP process would be conducted by

New Mexico Arts to accommodate the state procurement process. This process would require

staff to develop an RFP, review and select eligible applicants and to process contracts.

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