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 Campos

DATE TYPED 2/22/05

HB

SHORT TITLE New Mexico College Virtual College

SB 3/aSEC

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$500.0

continued

Recurring General Fund

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Association of Community Colleges (NMACC)

No Response From

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SEC Amendment

Senate Education Committee amendment to SB3 amends the legislation as follows:

•

On page 1, line 11: The title of the bill is amended to read “Making an Appropria-

tion for the Virtual College; Declaring an Emergency.”

•

On page 1, line 17: The phrase “commission on higher education” is removed,

with the phrase “extended learning fund” inserted in lieu thereof.

•

On page 1, line 19: The phrase “at New Mexico junior college” is removed, with

the phrase “by the commission on higher education” inserted in lieu thereof.

This amendment adds no additional appropriation to the legislation.

Senate Bill 3/aSEC -- Page 2

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Bill 3 -- Making an Appropriation for New Mexico’s Junior College’s Virtual College –

appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Commission on Higher Education for the

purpose of continuing the development of the New Mexico virtual college. Any unexpended or

unencumbered balance at the end of FY06 will revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

The New Mexico Association of Community Colleges(NMACC) indicates the continued devel-

opment of a New Mexico Virtual College (including the participation of twelve state community

colleges and universities) being organized under the auspices of NMACC has been unsuccess-

fully addressed in prior legislative sessions. However funding for a New Mexico virtual college

is recommended in the governor’s November 2004 Task Force on Higher Education Report and

the NMACC is optimistic that the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education will endorse

the virtual college initiative during this legislative session.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500 thousand 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

general fund. This bill carries an emergency declaration.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

While the intent of this bill appears to be funding the development of a virtual college drawn

from the participation of all of New Mexico’s 2-year community and junior colleges, the existing

language suggests that the funding is applicable solely to New Mexico Junior College. This

language requires clarification.

BFW/yr:lg