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

SPONSOR Taylor

DATE TYPED 3/07/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Repeal Albuquerque Bernalillo Merger, CA

SB SJR 8

ANALYST Ford

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$40.0

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates

HJR 14

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Resolution 8 proposes to repeal Article 10, Section 11 of the state constitution,

which provides for the establishment of single urban governments. The effect would be to repeal

the authority of the county of Bernalillo and the city of Albuquerque to merge into a single urban

government. The proposed amendment is subject to voter approval.

Significant Issues

In November 2000, the state’s voters ratified an amendment to the state constitution that pro-

vided a process by which the county of Bernalillo and the municipalities within the county could

merge into a single urban county. The process requires submission of a proposed merger to the

affected voters. In 2003 and again in 2004, area voters rejected the proposed merger.

Senate Joint Resolution 8 -- Page 2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Joint Memorial 8 would result in costs to the Secretary of State to place the constitutional

amendment on the ballot. In 2004, an identical measure was introduced and the Secretary of

State estimated costs of $40 thousand to meet the necessary election procedures and require-

ments.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Senate Joint Resolution 8 duplicates House Joint Resolution 14.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Given that voters in Bernalillo county must approve a merger before it can take place, is it neces-

sary to amend the state constitution. Or does the voter-approval requirement currently in the

constitution provide adequate safeguard against an unpopular merger.

EF/yr