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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 Veterans Database Services

SB 758

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$101.2

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 758 appropriates $101.2 thousand from the general fund to the Indian Affairs De-

partment to provide statistician and demographer services to establish a database for Navajo vet-

erans.

Significant Issues

The Indian Affairs Department reports The Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs (DNVA),

proposes to develop and establish a New Mexico Navajo Veterans Data Base Project to gather

needed Navajo veteran statistics. The proposal includes the following budget:

Statistician/Demographer Position $ 46,904

Fringe Benefits @30.51% $ 14,310

Travel $ 10,000

Office Supplies $ 5,000

Operating Supplies $ 5,000

Equipment $ 20,000

Total $101,214

Senate Bill 758 -- Page 2

The project will include all New Mexico chapters and use up-to-date technology for record col-

lection and storage. Data will include, but not be limited to, information regarding VA benefits,

demographic, economic, social, employment education, training, residence, etc. This informa-

tion will be exchanged with federal and state agencies to assist in acquiring appropriate benefits

and services for veterans.

The proposal from DNVS states that the focus of data collection will be at the chapter level.

Many Navajo members live, work and go to school throughout the State of New Mexico and

elsewhere. The Indian Affairs Department recommends that the study and data collection of Na-

vajo veterans focus on the entire state instead of just within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation.

Services and benefits are needed for New Mexico Navajo veterans found in areas outside of the

Navajo Nation as well.

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

erans that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I. Members of the Navajo Na-

tion 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. Many of these

veterans have lost benefits due to isolation, remoteness, and lack of facilities or infrastructure on

the Navajo Nation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $101.2 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