Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR Tripp

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/24/08

1/25/08 HB 265

SHORT TITLE Senior Citizens Programs

SB

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$70.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 265 appropriates $70 thousand

from the general fund to the Aging and Long-Term

Services Department for expenditure in FY 09 for a senior center in Glenwood, NM.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The intent of this legislation is to provide operating funds for an unopened senior center facility

that has been built in Glenwood, in Catron County. Funding for the recurring operating costs of

the Glenwood Senior Center is included in the Aging and Long-Term Services Department's FY

09 budget request, which included expansion funding of $2.45 million for aging network

programs. However, the Legislative Finance Committee recommendation for expansion funding

for aging network programs was $750 thousand and the executive was $400 thousand.

Therefore, it is not guaranteed that Glenwood will receive the entire funding amount needed to

begin operations.

The funding was also requested by aging network advocates under the category of unfunded

facilities and has been included in House Bill (HB) 127, statewide funding for aging network

services.

House Bill 265 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Statewide, aging network providers have been facing an increased demand for services fueled by

the rapid growth in New Mexico's older adult population due to the aging of the general

population, as well as an influx of retirees to our state. As these seniors "age in place" many

develop chronic health conditions and functional limitations that in-crease their needs for

supportive services. Aging network services are primarily targeted to persons age 60 and older

and their family caregivers, with an emphasis on those with the greatest economic and social

needs. Often, Aging Network providers are the only providers available in New Mexico's rural

and tribal communities. Aging Network providers have been greatly impacted by the rising cost

of gasoline, particularly with regard to services such as transportation for elders to medical

appointments or meal sites, as well as home delivered meals and other in-home services which

are dependent upon vehicles to transport home care workers and meals to seniors' homes.

Appropriations for the aging network will be used to support increased demands for services,

maintain existing services and support increased operations in several new facilities.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Aging Network providers include senior centers, meals programs, adult day care centers,

volunteer programs, employment training sites, home care agencies and senior Olympics. These

providers support caregivers and seniors, helping families remain together, in their own homes

and communities, throughout New Mexico. Aging Network providers create a safety net for the

vast majority of New Mexico's elders, those who don't qualify for Medicaid, but whose financial

resources are limited, those whose families are stretched to capacity caring for loved ones at

home. Volunteer and other civic engagement opportunities, including employment training,

enable older adults to remain active vital members of their communities. Meals programs help

prevent hunger among older adults; health promotion activities keep elders well so they can

continue to contribute to their local communities. Financial subsidies offered by employment

programs and volunteer stipends help seniors maintain economic independence. The Aging

Network is the only resource for many New Mexicans. Without additional funding, these

providers will be forced to develop waiting lists or decrease hours of service. Advocates for

seniors and Aging Network providers developed the funding targets in this request through a

collaborative, grass-roots process of identifying local community needs.

GG/mt:bb