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

SPONSOR Vigil

DATE TYPED 02-25-05 HB 943

SHORT TITLE NM Highlands Technology Training Institute

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$775.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to the appropriation for New Mexico Highlands University in the General Appropriations Act.

Duplicates SB742

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

No Responses Received From

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 943 – Making an Appropriation to the Board of Regents of New Mexico Highlands

University for a Technology Training Institute and Computational Engineering Program – ap-

propriates $775,000 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico Highlands

University for expenditure in FY06 to establish a technology training institute and computational

engineering program at New Mexico Highlands University. The program shall be established in

conjunction with the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Any unexpended or un-

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

Significant Issues

In its FY06 Research and Public Service Project Appropriations Request to the Commission on

House Bill 943 -- Page 2

Higher Education (CHE) New Mexico Highlands University indicates that the New Mexico

Technology Training Institute will provide critical services to universities, colleges and govern-

mental agencies across the state, with special emphasis on northern New Mexico. This project

will utilize a “train the trainer” model and collaborative resource sharing to maximize the devel-

opment and usage of information technology in New Mexico. Goals of the initiative are to pro-

vide regional and statewide training and assistance in:

•

SCT Banner – the comprehensive university management software that is utilized

by all six state universities and several community colleges;

•

WebCT – the state-of-the-art interactive online instruction tool that is utilized by

all six state universities and several community colleges;

•

Security – a partnering effort with New Mexico Tech; and

•

Network Operating Systems – the development of a regional database and techni-

cal support center.

While this initiative was approved by the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents in

the amount of $525,000, the program was not recommended for funding by the CHE in FY06.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $775,000 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

New Mexico Highlands University will retain oversight of this appropriation.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to the appropriation for New Mexico Highlands University in the General Appropriations Act.

Duplicates SB742 in that SB742 also seeks to appropriate $775,000 from the general fund to the

Board of Regents of New Mexico Highlands University for expenditure in FY06 to establish a

technology training institute and computational engineering program at New Mexico Highlands

University.

BFW/lg