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

SPONSOR Rodriguez

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/10/07

HB

SHORT TITLE Community Outreach Program for the Deaf

SB 609/aSPAC

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$200.0

Recurring

Telecommunications

Access Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to an Appropriation in the GAA

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Governor’s Commission for Disability

Commission for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons (CDHH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SPAC Bill 609

The Senate Public Affairs Committee Amendment to Senate Bill 609 appropriates the $200

thousand to the Commission for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons rather than the Governor’s

Commission on Disability.

In addition, the source of the funds is changed to the Telecommunications Access Fund rather

than the general fund. The amendment, however, references page 22, but the reference should be

line 22. A correction is necessary.

The Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing agency recommendation already includes

approximately $300 thousand for the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf and the

purpose of the additional $200 thousand is unclear.

Senate Bill 609/aSPAC – Page

2

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Bill 609 appropriates $200 thousand from the general fund to Governor’s commission on

disability for operational support for the community outreach program for the deaf.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $200 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 2008 shall

revert to the general fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Governor’s Commission on disability indicates The Catholic Community Services of

Arizona, Inc. doing business as the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf provides sign

interpreters for deaf persons. This service is provided for $50 per hour with a two-hour

minimum and mileage charge for travel over 40 miles. Previous funding through the Governor’s

Commission for Disability was to purchase office equipment and a vehicle. This appropriation

would be used to support the continuing operations of this organization.

The Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of Hearing reasons that the funds should be appropriated

to that agency since responsibility for this population is its statutory authority.

The CDHH already provides funding for the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf and the

purpose of this additional appropriation is unclear.

ALTERNATIVES

Appropriate the funds to the Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of Hearing.

MW/mt