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

SPONSOR Varela

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/06/06

HB 690

SHORT TITLE Santa Fe Opera Simulcast

SB

ANALYST Earnest

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$75.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

House Bill 690 relates to House Bill 697 and Senate Bill 633.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Tourism Department (TD)

Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 690 appropriates $75 thousand from the general fund to the Tourism Department to

fund a simulcast of the Santa Fe opera.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $75 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.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Tourism Department supports funding for a simulcast of the Santa Fe Opera and believes a

global simulcast in cities around the world will generate interest in the Santa Fe opera in New

Mexico, ultimately resulting in increased visitation to the state. However, TD indicates that the

House Bill 690 – Page 2

Santa Fe Opera has estimated that $150 thousand is needed for the project. The department does

not anticipate having any other funds to support the simulcast.

DCA reports that a similar event was held in Santa Fe’s Fort Marcy Park in the summer of 2005

with great attendance and success.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

TD supports all legislation which promotes visitation to and within New Mexico. SB 633 may

attract additional in-state and out-of-state visitors to Santa Fe. Should the simulcast also be

broadcast in key worldwide tourism markets, increased visitation may be generated, a key per-

formance measure for TD.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 690 relates to House Bill 697 and Senate Bill 633.

ALTERNATIVES

DCA suggests that these funds could be made a part of the New Mexico Arts base budget and the

organizations could apply through the established grants procedure and New Mexico Arts fund-

ing guidelines.

BE/yr