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

SPONSOR Adair

DATE TYPED 03-16-05 HB

SHORT TITLE NM Highlands Intolerance Study

SB SM46

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Memorial 46 – Requesting New Mexico Highlands University to Conduct a Study of

Groups that Foster Intolerance in New Mexico – notes that:

•

the Constitution of the State of New Mexico begins with the words: “We, the

people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in

order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish

this constitution”;

•

Article 2, Section 4 of the Constitution of New Mexico guarantees that certain

rights are inherent and that “all persons are born equally free, and have certain

natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying

and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property,

and of seeking and obtaining safety and happiness”;

•

the Constitution of New Mexico also guarantees that every New Mexican will

enjoy the right of religious freedom and that “no person shall ever be molested

or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opin-

ion or mode of religious worship”;

Senate Memorial 46 -- Page 2

•

as inheritors of the guarantees of liberty handed down from the founders of the

nation and underscored by the founders of this state, it is the duty of all New

Mexicans to be vigilant against the growing threat to those fundamental guaran-

tees;

•

operating in New Mexico today are certain groups that advocate racism, ethnic

and religious bigotry, including anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry that

militate against the common prayer that our state manifest “perfect friendship

among united cultures”; and

•

it is in the public interest that such groups be identified and studied in an effort

to enhance public safety and reduce the likelihood of terrorism and danger to all

New Mexicans.

With respect to the above factors, the memorial resolves the following:

•

that New Mexico Highlands University be requested to conduct a study to de-

termine if, and to what extent, there exist in New Mexico groups, such as white

supremacist and similar hate groups, that advocate racism, ethnic and religious

bigotry, including anti-Semitism, or other forms of bigotry and to identify the

rhetoric, organizational names and locations of those groups, if applicable; and

•

that New Mexico Highlands University report the findings of its study to the ap-

propriate interim committee of the legislature.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The memorial further resolves that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of

New Mexico Highlands University.

BFW/lg