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

SPONSOR Griego

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/13/2007

HB

SHORT TITLE

HIGHER EDUCATION ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

SB 681

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

NM Department of Higher Education (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 681 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund in the following amounts to the

following institutions for expenditure in FY08 to support athletic programs:

(1) $250,000 to New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU)

(2) $250,000 to Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU)

(3) $250,000 to Western New Mexico University (WNMU)

(4) $250,000 to Northern New Mexico State School (NNMSS)

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $1,000,000 contained in this bill 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.

HED indicates that the primary athletic expenses for Division II teams nationally are grants in

aid to students and salaries for coaches. The ENMU budget request indicates this as their case.

NMHU plans to use the funding for the women’s rodeo program and the men’s wrestling

Senate Bill 681 – Page

2

program. WNMU plans to use the funding to support ground transportation which is the typical

mode of travel for their athletes. WNMU planned to hire four full-time assistant coaches. At

NNMSS, planning is underway to start an athletic program. Funding would go to salaries for

coaches and travel expenses.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

HED offers that NMHU is associated with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)

and follows the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines. NMHU anticipated

enrolling close to 300 athletes in the 2006-07 seasons. Hundreds of clients use the facilities from

various youth and community sports groups. Student athletes have a higher grade point average

than traditional non-athlete students, and they graduate in fewer semesters.

WNMU has recently rejoined the RMAC after being gone for 16 years. The institution follows

the NCAA guidelines. WNMU will continue to seek ways to increase support for the program

financially. Part of the institutional commitment to the RMAC is to sponsor two Nebraska

schools football games.

ENMU competes as a member of the Lone Star Conference and follows the NCAA guidelines.

The existence of the program helps to develop a sense of community between students, faculty,

staff and the general public. ENMU currently provides opportunities for students to compete in

13 different sports.

NNMSS (commonly known as Northern New Mexico College or NNMC) recently became a

four-year institution and has conducted a feasibility study for the athletic program. NNMSS

plans to begin with men’s and women’s basketball teams, joining NCAA as a Division II team.

Three of the four institutions submitted requests for funding to HED.

For NMHU, the HED funding recommendation for FY08 is in the amount of $1,851,500

which includes an increase of $250,000 to the FY07 recurring funding of $1,601,500.

For WNMU, the HED funding recommendation for FY08 is in the amount of $1,882,900

which includes an increase of $250,000 to the FY07 recurring funding of $1,632,900.

For ENMU, the HED funding recommendation for FY08 is in the amount of $2,007,100

which includes an increase of $250,000 to the FY07 recurring funding of $1,757,100.

NNMSS did not request funding; however, the HED funding recommendation for FY08 is in the

amount of $250,000.

GM/mt