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

SPONSOR Lopez

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

02/20/07

HB

SHORT TITLE Tools for Schools Program

SB 718

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$125.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to: SB 378

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

Public Education Department (PED)

Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 718 would appropriate $125,000 from the general fund to the Department of Health

to conduct environmental assessments of public schools pursuant to the indoor air quality tools

for schools program. Any unexpended funds at the end of FY08 shall revert to the general fund.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

DOH notes that funding for this program is not included in the executive budget request. The

tools for schools program was originally initiated for New Mexico public schools through a grant

from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. PSFA notes that in 2006, $330.0 thousand was

appropriated (SB 450) from the public school capital outlay fund for expenditure to the tools for

schools program in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. These funds are currently being expended by a

contractor through a professional services contract between the Public School Facilities

Authority and the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico. Under this contract,

elementary schools at select New Mexico public school districts are currently being assessed for

indoor air quality issues.

Senate Bill 718 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

In New Mexico, about 325,000 students spend their days in our elementary and secondary

schools. In New Mexico, 11.3% of children 17 years of age and younger (56,900) have ever had

asthma and 7.5% of New Mexican children (37,800) currently have asthma (DOH Burden of

Asthma in New Mexico 2006 Surveillance Report). Asthma is the leading cause of school

absence.

Poor air quality caused by unsatisfactory ventilation systems and other structural problems are

significant contributors to respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Poor ventilation and indoor

allergens such as mold can play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Because students

generally spend about 90% of their days indoors, poor air quality can trigger asthma symptoms.

The Tools for Schools Program has been proven an effective in conducting environmental

assessments and improving the air quality in school buildings in hundreds of schools nationwide.

This Program has also been used affectively in several school systems in New Mexico –

Albuquerque, Gadsden, Bernalillo, Carrizozo, Deming, and Rio Rancho. The proposed funding

to implement the NM Tools for Schools Program will significantly enhance indoor air quality

and minimize asthma and other respiratory illnesses in school children and staff.

SB 718 would help to improve air quality in New Mexico schools and enhance the efforts to

reduce asthmas in children.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

PSFA notes that the DOH should coordinate their efforts with the public school facilities

authority on the use of these funds to expand the number of schools already in the program.

RELATIONSHIP

SB 378 is proposing to appropriate $50 thousand for the same purpose.

ALTERNATIVES

The appropriation could be directed to the PSFA, which is already working on this program.

GG/nt