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 Salazar

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/30/2007

2/16/2007 HB 130/aHEC

SHORT TITLE NM State School Degree Programs

SB

ANALYST Moser

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$1,000.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

House Education Committee amendment to House Bill 130 reduces the appropriation form

$3,000,000 to $1,000,000 and makes minor technical changes.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 130 appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Fund to the Board of Regents of

Northern New Mexico State School for expenditure in FY 2008 through FY 2010 to start new

Bachelor’s and Master Degree programs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $3,000,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2010 shall revert to the

general Fund.

House Bill 130/aHEC – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Northern New Mexico College is a two-year and four-year degree granting institution of higher

learning. Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, NNMC offers

degrees in business administration, teacher education, nursing, radiography, biology, and

engineering.

Nearly 65 certificate and degree programs are offered on the Espanola campus including but not

limited to: Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Design Foundation,

Computer Aided Drafting, Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Human Services, Library

Technology, Micro Electronics, Management Information Systems, Nursing, Radiography,

Science, Substance Abuse Counselor, Welding Technology

The College was granted accreditation status to offer associate and Bachelor degrees by the

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and

Universities in 1982. In December 2006, the HLC notified NNMC of the extension of

accreditation to include new Bachelors programs in Business Administration, Biology,

Environmental Science, Information technology, and Integrative Healing. The Higher Education

Department has also reviewed and approved these Bachelor degree programs (HB 130 Agency

Bill Analysis, 1/19/2007).

The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) has statutory responsibility to review

new undergraduate and graduate programs proposed by state universities as part of its authority

for statewide planning and oversight of postsecondary education. The Post-Secondary

Educational Planning Act, specifically Section 21-2-5 NMSA 1978, authorizes HED to conduct

statewide planning, including analyses of state needs for postsecondary educational programs.

The College is not accredited to offer graduate degree programs. Graduate degrees will require

approval by the Higher Learning Commission, HED, and the Board of Finance.

This proposal was submitted to HED by NNMC, but was not included in the Department’s

funding recommendation for FY08. However, the Department recommends a $1,000,000 non-

recurring appropriation for FY08 for teacher education

programs start-up funding.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The College will need to complete the requirements for regional accreditation from the Higher

Learning Commission of the North Central Association to offer graduate degrees and submit the

intent to offer such programs to HED and the Board of Finance as required by New Mexico

statutes governing graduate program approval.

BM/csd