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

SPONSOR Martinez, R.C.

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/28/08 HB

SHORT TITLE Northern NM State Youth Sports Program

SB 219

ANALYST Cox

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$30.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Higher Education – HED

Department of Public Education – PED

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 219 would help the Board of Regents of the Northern New Mexico state school ( now

known as Northern New Mexico College NNMC) re-establish the National Youth Sports

Program, which serves youth ages 10 to 16 during the summer months with an academic and

sports curriculum.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) contained in this bill is a recurring

expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of

Fiscal Year shall revert to the General Fund.

This request was not submitted by NNMC to the New Mexico Higher Education Department for

review and is not included in the Department’s funding recommendation for FY09.

The HED’s evaluation table of FY09 Research and Public Service Projects provided to the LFC

classifies this project as a “does not fit within HED priorities for Higher Education" project.

Reasons for this classification decision are not provided. (LFC Report 07-20, Higher Education

Senate Bill 219 – Page

2

Department Review of Selected Research and Public Service Projects, January 12, 2008, Table

4, p75.)

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

PED notes:

•

Obesity has become a major public health issue in the United States with more than 9

million children and adolescents (17%) now considered overweight (Robert Wood

Johnson Foundation, 2007).

•

Scientists have found that vigorous exercise can cause older nerve cells to form dense,

interconnected webs that make the brain run faster and more efficiently. And there are

clues that physical activity can stave off the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease, ADHD

and other cognitive disorders. No matter your age, it seems, a strong, active body is

crucial for building a strong, active mind (Carmichael, 2007).

•

Increasing physical activity will increase levels of physical fitness and higher levels of

physical fitness are associated with improved academic performance (Action for Healthy

Kids, 2004).

•

Fewer that 25% of American children get at least 30 minutes of any type of physical

activity everyday (Action for Healthy Kids, 2003).

HED further notes:

The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) annually provides approximately 75,000

economically disadvantaged youths, ages 10-16 years, with a unique opportunity to benefit from

resources made available by local colleges and universities. In 2005, with a $17,856,000 grant

from the Office of Community Services (OCS) and two-thirds of the operating expenses paid for

by other public and private sources, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and

202 selected institutions of higher education, the program completed its 37th year. Significant

budget cuts came in 2006 with New Mexico programs serving 1,194 youths in 2005, compared

to 515 youths in 2006.

NYSP is an instructional program for boys and girls from low-income households. The program

uses sports instruction and competition as a vehicle to enhance self-esteem and respect. The

program provides participants with instruction in career and educational opportunities and

exposure to the college environment. Each participant receives a free medical examination and

follow-up, if necessary and at least one free meal daily.

The program’s objectives are to:

•

Serve underserved youth between the ages of 10-16;

•

Provide a healthy start through good nutrition and physical fitness;

•

Teach youth-centered activities in a safe, positive and enjoyable college/university

environment;

•

Provide youth-centered activities that nurture the dreams and aspirations of youth;

•

Promote respect, citizenship and sportsmanship in a diverse society; and

•

Provide quality service and reward excellent performance.

PRC/mt