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 Payne

DATE TYPED 02/24/05 HB 981

SHORT TITLE Albuquerque Traffic Law Enforcement

SB

ANALYST Ford

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)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 981 appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to the local government divi-

sion of DFA to support the enforcement of traffic laws, noise ordinances and anti-drunk driving

initiatives in the Montgomery tactical plan of the Albuquerque police department.

Significant Issues

DFA provides the following:

“According to the Albuquerque Community Report 2002, New Mexico Traffic Safety Bu-

reau - Montgomery Blvd. has 3 of the worst 7 intersections in the city of Albuquerque for

crashes. 149 people were injured in 331 crashes on Montgomery Blvd. during that year.

“Studies show that increased traffic enforcement activities are an effective deterrent to high-

way fatalities and serious injury. DWI checkpoints and saturation patrols reduce the inci-

dence of driving while intoxicated and support the Governor's DWI strategy. The North Area

Command of the Albuquerque City Police reports 3,349 traffic citations during a 14 week

House Bill 981 -- Page 2

“Montgomery Tactical Operation in 2004. Of those cited, 181 were noise violations and 55

were DWI. There appears to be a need for high visibility traffic enforcement in this area.

“Available funding for the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) may not meet their needs.

The Local DWI Grant Program in Bernalillo County reduced its budget to local enforcement

over the past three years from a high of $304,697 in FY03; to $34,000 in FY04; to $0 in

FY05. These cuts were made because of reductions in funding to the Local DWI Grant Pro-

gram. APD may be getting traffic enforcement funding from Traffic Safety Bureau, Depart-

ment of Transportation.”

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 FY 06 shall revert to

the general fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The bill does not provide for any oversight or performance goals for this appropriation.

EF/lg