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 Stewart

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/25/06

2/9/06 HB 165/aHAFC

SHORT TITLE Air Condition School Buses with Wheel Chairs

SB

ANALYST Aguilar

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

See Fiscal Implications

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HAFC Amendment

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee amendment to House Bill 165 makes changes

to the title of the bill, and strikes the appropriation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The HAFC amendment strikes from the title of the bill “REQUIRING” and inserts thereof

“ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR” school buses with wheelchair lifts to be air condi-

tioned.

Language remaining in the bill requires that such buses purchased new after June 30, 2006 be

equipped with factory installed air conditioning. This appears to be in contradiction with the new

title of the bill. If these provisions remain in the bill, there will be an approximate annual recur-

ring impact of $42 thousand to $210 thousand on the PED transportation request.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 165 appropriates $300 thousand from the general fund to the Public Education De-

partment for the purpose of reimbursing school districts for the cost of factory installed air condi-

House Bill 165/aHAFC – Page 2

tioning in school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts.

The bill further provides that school buses with wheelchair lifts purchased after June 30, 2006

are to have factory installed air conditioning..

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

In FY05 the Public Education Department purchased 30 school buses equipped with wheelchair

lifts while in FY06 the number is six. PED notes the cost of factory installed air conditioning on

buses is approximately $7 thousand per bus. Given recent purchases, it is expected this legisla-

tion if enacted will have a variable annual recurring impact of $42 thousand to $210 thousand on

the PED transportation request.

The appropriation of $300 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall

revert to the general fund.

PA/mt