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

SPONSOR Robinson

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-14-2007

HB

SHORT TITLE NM Film Festivals

SB 524

ANALYST Dearing

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$60.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Cultural Affairs Department (CAD)

Economic Development Department (EDD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 524 appropriates $60 thousand from the general fund for expenditure in FY08 to the

New Mexico Film museum in the Cultural Affairs department to support film festivals in several

locations around the State. Senate Bill 524 incorporates language such that no one location

would be appropriated in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) of the $60 thousand dollar

appropriation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $60 thousand contained in Senate Bill 524 is a recurring expense to the

General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY08 shall

revert to the General Fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Provisions in Senate Bill 524 provide a framework for some parity in funding among twelve

New Mexico communities/film festival locations.

Senate Bill 524 – Page

2

This type of outreach to New Mexico’s communities, beyond the Film Museum’s location at the

Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe, supports the film museum’s mission of raising awareness of

the cultural impact of motion pictures.

Film festivals in smaller communities could provide opportunities for educational and cultural

outreach as well as fundraising for worthy causes. Entities that qualify can apply for matching

funds for marketing through the Tourism department cooperative advertising program. Such

festivals have the potential to bring attention to communities that are not well known, as well as

further enhance tourism in more popular spots.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation in Senate Bill 524 could positively impact the department’s performance

measures related to off-site outreach and educational event attendance.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The film museum director would most likely administer this appropriation as a grant assistance

program. A likely scenario is that communities/organizations would submit applications that

outline basic criteria to the film museum for review and selection.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

How many film festivals are currently held in the State annually.

PD/mt