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

SPONSOR Pinto

DATE TYPED 02/09/05 HB

SHORT TITLE Navajo Veteran Homesite Surveys and Clearances SB 755

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$86.5

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Indian Affairs Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 755 appropriates $86.5 thousand from the general fund to the Indian Affairs Depart-

ment for the purpose of assisting the Department of Navajo veterans affairs to obtain archaeo-

logical clearances and surveys for home sites for indigent veterans in New Mexico.

Significant Issues

The Indian Affairs Department indicates.

According to the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs (DNVA), there is an immediate

need for 125 land surveys and 171 archeological clearances to be done in order to provide

home site leases to qualifying U.S. Armed Forces veterans on the Navajo Nation. The

three Navajo Nation satellite communities, Alamo, Tohajiilee and Ramah, are included in

this need. There are a large number of homeless Navajo veterans on the Navajo Nation

because of the cumbersome tribal, state and federal processes required to obtain housing

assistance in the home areas of these veterans.

Out of the current Navajo Nation population of 250,000, there are more than 16,000 Na-

Senate Bill 755 -- Page 2

vajo veterans that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I. Members of

the Navajo Nation did not become U.S. citizens until 1924, although many Navajos

enlisted to defend our country in major wars even before they became citizens. Since

World War II, Navajo veterans have had and continue to have difficulties in receiving

VA benefits and services they are entitled to. Many of these veterans have lost benefits

due to isolation, remoteness, and lack of facilities or infrastructure on the Navajo Nation.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Performance measures and targets should be included to access the success of the program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $86.5 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.

MW/yr