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.

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

SPONSOR Youngberg

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

03/16/07

HM 112

SHORT TITLE CLE Credits For Legislative Attendance

SB

ANALYST Geisler

ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)

FY07

FY08

FY09 3 Year

Total Cost

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

Total

minimal

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 112 requests that the New Mexico minimum continuing legal education board

conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of allowing legislators and legislative staff to earn

minimum continuing legal education credits for their work during the legislative session and for

interim committee attendance. The results of the study shall be reported to the board of bar

commissioners of the state bar of New Mexico and the New Mexico supreme court.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Fiscal implications are likely to be minimal to the board.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The work of legislators and legislative staff during the legislative session and during the

legislative interim is similar to the requirements for courses for which continuing legal education

credits are allowed. However, currently New Mexico legislators do not receive legal education

credits for their service. A quick search on the internet shows that states that do allow some

continuing legal education credits for legislative service or legislative related legal research

include Arizona, North Dakota, Mississippi and Montana.

GG/mt