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

SPONSOR Sharer

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/22/07

HB

SHORT TITLE Study Marketing Distance Learning Program

SJM 31

ANALYST Baca

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB 201/HECS & SB 209/SECS

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial requests the Public Education Department study the feasibility and

revenue possibilities of marketing New Mexico's distance learning program to other states and

report its findings to the legislative education study committee prior to the second session of the

forty-eighth legislature; and that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the Secretary of

Public Education.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

SJM 31 contains no appropriation. PED comments that it will cost nearly six thousand dollars to

carry out the intent of the memorial. However, LFC staff believes conduct of this type of study

is well within the purview of the PED’s activities and budget. Therefore, no appropriation

should be required.

Senate Joint Memorial 31 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The memorial lists the advantages of distance learning for New Mexico students and teachers

along with the existence of world class national laboratories that specialize in math and science

activities as important variables in providing improved learning opportunities for students. The

bill’s sponsor believes the expertise developed and available in New Mexico should be shared

with educators and students in other states – for a fee.

The PED notes that “New Mexico has a wealth of expertise outside the classroom, especially in

the areas of math and science, as the state is home to two national laboratories. Students in other

states would benefit from the knowledge and skills that New Mexico teachers and scientists have

to offer. Any opportunity available to share our expertise would be beneficial to New Mexico as

we grow technology and workforce development." PED also comments that perhaps states with

lesser developed distance learning systems would be willing to take advantage of the New

Mexico experiences in distance learning for students and teachers.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

Under this section, PED submits the following:

It is uncertain what the charges would be for any online courses that would be purchased

by states. The increasing competitive development of online courses nationally has

resulted in more services being purchased to meet immediate needs. Online courses are

being used to support professional development, home-school programs, charter schools,

public schools and government agencies.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

The existing partnerships between the National Labs and the state’s educational entities would

continue to address distance learning in New Mexico.

LRB/mt