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

SPONSOR Sanchez, B

DATE TYPED 1/27/05

HB

SHORT TITLE High School Diplomas for Certain Veterans

SB 198

ANALYST Chabot

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

See Narrative

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Veterans’ Services Department (VSD)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 198 would allow school boards to issues high school diplomas to New Mexico Ko-

rean War veterans who were honorably discharged, scheduled to graduate from a New Mexico

high school during the period June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 but left school before gradua-

tion to serve in the military.

Significant Issues

A similar law for World War II veterans was enacted by the 2003 Legislature. Awarding a di-

ploma is an inexpensive means of honoring veterans who would have graduated if they had not

entered the military.

PED identifies the following benefits:

1.

Korean conflict veterans will earn the prestige of having a high school diploma.

2.

This bill would honor those who were forced to discontinue their high school education

due to the Korean conflict.

Senate Bill 198 -- Page 2

3.

This bill allows New Mexico to celebrate the life achievements and contributions of the

veterans and/or their families as they are presented their high school diploma.

4.

This bill demonstrates New Mexico’s appreciation for the services veterans gave to their

families and country.

Twenty-six states have enacted or are working on similar legislation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation in this bill; administrative costs may result but these should be covered

by the operating budgets of PED and local school districts.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

PED would have to develop rules and to carry out the provisions of the bill.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

As most Korean War veterans are in their 70s, any rules promulgated should be simple and

documentation requirements be minimal such as a DD214 and a statement that the veteran was a

resident of New Mexico and attending high school at the time of entry into the armed forces.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

Many veterans who served during the Korean War will not have high school diplomas.

GAC/yr