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

SPONSOR P. Campos

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/29/08

HB

SHORT TITLE Luna College Santa Fe Trail Institute

SB 402

ANALYST Haug

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$150.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Higher Education Department (HED)

Luna Community College (LCC)

Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 402 appropriates $150.0 from the general fund to the Higher Education Department

to establish the Institute on the Santa Fe trail, a study center devoted to research, publication and

interpretive materials concerning the early founding of New Mexico under Spain, Mexico and

the United States, at Luna Community College.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $150.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2009 shall revert to the

general fund.

This request was not submitted by Luna Community College to the New Mexico Higher

Education Department for review and is not included in the Department’s funding

recommendation for FY09.

Senate Bill 402 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The HED states that the Institute on the Santa Fe Trail is a study center devoted to research,

publication, and interpretive materials concerning the early founding of New Mexico under

Spain, Mexico, and the United States at Luna Community College. Funds in this proposal will be

used to hire a historian, who will work with graduate students in developing an interpretive

center and curricula. The creation of the center and production of educational materials are much

needed in this area rich in history. The institute will be housed at Luna Community College and

will serve as an economic development initiative aimed to stimulate historical interest and

economic activity. An interpretive center will contribute to the sustainability of the program.

According to LCC, an establishment of this type will enhance the study, knowledge base and

resources available for individuals conducting research on the early founding of New Mexico

under Spain, Mexico and the United States.

GH/mt