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

SPONSOR Boitano

DATE TYPED 2-14-05

HB

SHORT TITLE Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum

SB 463

ANALYST Segura

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$500.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 463 appropriates $500.0 to fund educational programs through the explora science

center and children’s museum in Albuquerque.

Significant Issues

The Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum is a private nonprofit organization that ex-

ists through public and private partnerships. PED indicates that Explora utilizes the New Mexico

Content Standards, Benchmarks and Performance Standards and provides opportunities for

teachers to develop their professional skills and abilities to deliver more effective instruction.

The Exlora Center features more than 200 interactive exhibits, science, art, and technology ac-

tivities, classes for school groups, professional development for teachers and community out-

reach programs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 463 appropriates $500.0 to PED for educational programs through the Explora educa-

Senate Bill 463 -- Page 2

tion center. The appropriation is recurring.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The PED would need to monitor the appropriation and performance and establish procedures for

funds to be transferred from PED to Explora.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

PED states that the bill would require the PED to award public money to a private entity outside

of a competitive procurement which may be inconsistent with the New Mexico State Procure-

ment Code.

In addition, a partnership between Explora and the PED was established through HJM 48 of

Laws of 2003, for the purpose of assisting Explora in informing teachers of resources available at

Explora.

RS/yr