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

SPONSOR Altamirano

DATE TYPED 02-04-05 HB

SHORT TITLE WNMU Recurring Athletic Program Needs

SB 345

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$1,647.5

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to the appropriation for Western New Mexico University in the General Appropriations

Act.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

No Response Received From

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 345 – Making an Appropriation to Western New Mexico University for Recurring

Athletic Program Needs – appropriates $1,647,500 from the general fund to the Board of Re-

gents of Western New Mexico university for expenditure in FYs 05 and 06 to fund athletics at

both school and conference levels and to address gender equity requirements. Any unexpended

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

Significant Issues

Drawn from information in the university funding request to CHE, the Western New Mexico

University (WNMU) Board of Governors indicates this bill will allow WNMU to address Na-

tional Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) requirements currently unmet by WNMU, as

well as enable the university to enhance current athletics programs.

Senate Bill 345 -- Page 2

WNMU requires the addition of one additional sport in 2005-2006 so as to be able to meet cur-

rent NCAA Division II requirements and retain full NCAA membership status and qualification

for NCAA financial disbursements. WNMU is presently considering the addition of women’s

soccer as the new sport. Not only will this satisfy NCAA requirements, but it will also afford an

additional athletic option to female students.

The WNMU Board of Governors further indicates that travel costs for WNMU’s current sports

obligations are extremely expensive due to WNMU’s geographical location and conference af-

filiation. All WNMU coaches currently drive buses to transport their teams and, at times, have

driven in excess of 24 hours to compete due to the fact there are insufficient funds to charter a

bus, or fly to the event.

While this program was approved by the WNMU Board of Regents for consideration by CHE, it

was not included in the CHE’s 2005-2006 Higher Education Funding Recommendation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of

$1,647,500

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

WNMU would retain oversight of the program and would utilize the funds to hire a head coach,

an assistant head coach, a fulltime compliance professional, and to provide scholarships, equip-

ment and travel funds for both the new sport, as well as existing sports.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to the appropriation for Western New Mexico University in the General Appropriations

Act.

BFW/lg