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

SPONSOR Swisstack

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/27/06

HB 268

SHORT TITLE Albuquerque Science & Engineering Fair

SB

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$1,300.0 Non-Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB169.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 268 appropriates $1.3 million from the general fund to the Local Government Divi-

sion of the Department of Finance and Administration in FY07 to provide for a science and en-

gineering fair in the City of Albuquerque.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $1.3 million contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY07 would revert to

the general fund.

House Bill 268 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Public Education Department (PED) indicated that this bill supports the Intel International

Science and Engineering Fair, to be held in Albuquerque in May, 2007. The International Fair is

expected to bring 1,400 students from 38 countries to compete for three $50 thousand scholar-

ships, high performance computers, and other scholarships and prizes. Science fairs have served

students, teachers and parents in New Mexico since 1959. Science fairs require students to en-

gage in scientific research and demonstrate understanding of concepts and principles in science,

mathematics and engineering. Because of strong regional and statewide support for science

fairs, Albuquerque has been chosen to host the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering

Fair. This effort received support from community and business leaders, parents and teachers

and the state. This fair contributes to improving the quality of science education, increasing

male, female and minority student interest in science, mathematics and engineering, providing

recognition for achievement and performance in these areas by teachers and students and show-

casing New Mexico’s research and development organization. Students compete in a series of

fairs, beginning with local fairs held in individual schools, to qualify for participation in the in-

ternational fair. The 2005 Northwest New Mexico Regional Science and Engineering Fair, held

at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, hosted 850 students, competing with 750 pro-

jects. New Mexico continues to qualify outstanding students for the International competition.

The promoters of the convention claim this event will rank in the top 5 largest conventions to

ever be held in Albuquerque, both in size and financial impact and note that all New Mexicans

will benefit with more than 5,000 world visitors traveling here - before, during and after the fair -

to see the rich and diverse heritage that is found in every corner of our state.

DFA added that a group of educators from the Rio Rancho Public Schools came together and

formed Inquiry Facilitators (IF) to bid for the opportunity to bring the Fair to New Mexico. The

fiscal agent for IF will be the Rio Rancho Public Schools. On behalf of New Mexico, IF bid

against other states, including Colorado, to host the 2007 Fair. The fair will have a total cost of

approximately $2.4 million, with the remaining $1.1 million coming from corporate sponsors.

The cost of the Fair includes feeding all of the participants during events, the events themselves,

the opening ceremonies, and to pay for the judges who will judge the Fair competitors. The Al-

buquerque Convention Center will host the event at no cost to IF. Approximately, 2000 hotel

rooms in and around Albuquerque have been reserved for the week of the Fair for the Fair par-

ticipants. On the final two days of the Fair, students from around New Mexico will be brought to

the Fair to meet and interact with the other students from around the country and around the

world.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The convention supported with these funds would promote student proficiency in mathematics

and stakeholders’ positive involvement with their schools and the standards and benchmarks for

mathematics and science, according to PED.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DFA noted that, currently, PED administers $400,000 appropriated from the 2005 legislative

session for this purpose. DFA/LGD recommends this appropriation be administered by PED.

House Bill 268 – Page

3

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Duplicates SB169.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

It may be preferable to have these funds administered by PED.

DH/mt:yr