Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR Ryan

DATE TYPED 2/22/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Adult & Family Literacy Services

SB 902

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION

(in $000s)

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$200.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

No responses were received from the Cultural Affairs Department or from the Public Education

Department at the time this FIR was prepared.

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 902 appropriates $200,000 from the general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department

for the purpose of contracting with a statewide nonprofit adult literacy organization to provide

basic literacy services in areas of the state that are underserved by existing adult basic education

and literacy programs. The appropriation would be sued for program management and operating

support for community-based literacy programs using volunteer tutors. Technical support for the

programs would include training on evaluation standards and techniques, best practices in the

delivery of literacy services, board development and training, volunteer recruitment and support,

financial and program management and quantifiable documentation of outcomes. Existing ser-

vices would be used whenever possible to avoid duplication of services.

Significant Issues

The New Mexico State Library in the Cultural Affairs Department (DCA) provides about

$400,000 annually to support the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy. This appropriation repre-

Senate Bill 902 -- Page 2

sents a significant portion of the Coalition’s operating revenues. The appropriation in SB902

would likely be used to expand the support for the Coalition and to expand the number of com-

munities served by this program. Additionally, the State funds literacy programs in the Adult

Basic Education program in the Commission on Higher Education. The Coalition indicates that

the two entities coordinate their services in order to prevent duplication.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $200,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would revert to the

general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DCA would likely administer the additional funds through existing contractors.

DH/lg