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 Sanchez, M.

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/26/2008

HB

SHORT TITLE Valencia School suspension Alternatives

SB 265

ANALYST Aguilar

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$100.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Related to appropriations contained in the General Appropriations Act for truancy and dropout

prevention.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 265 appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to Public Education

Department for the purpose of implementing a pilot program in Valencia County that will

provide an alternative to out-of-school suspensions.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100 thousand 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.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The goals of dropout and truancy prevention programs are to decrease truancy and dropout rates

and increase student attendance. In order for students to achieve they must first be present. The

Senate Bill 265 – Page

2

underlying issues for dropout and truancy are oftentimes associated with social, family and

health barriers that prevent students from achieving and dropout and truancy prevention

programs help to provide support to students, schools and families to increase academic success

and close the achievement gap for all students.

According to the PED 2006-2007 Unexcused Absence and Habitual Truant Report, the two

school districts in Valencia County, Belen and Los Lunas have reported a combined Habitual

truant rate of 26.38%.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

It appears the department should be able to implement the provisions of this bill within existing

operational appropriation.

PA/nt