NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB106

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys analysis

SUMMARY

Synopsis of House Judiciary Committee Amendment

The amendment provides that four judges be located in Las Cruces and ride circuit to Hatch on a regular basis. The fifth judge will operate as a single court in Anthony.

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 148 would create two additional magistrate judgeships in the Dona Ana district.

Significant Issues

The bill provides that three judges be located in Las Cruces and shall ride circuit to Hatch on a regular basis. The other two judges will operate as a single court in Anthony.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 148 appropriates $150.0 in recurring general fund to the Dona Ana magistrate district.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The new judges would be appointed by the governor effective July 1, 1999 and would be succeeded by magistrates elected in the general election of 2000.

RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 148 relates to Senate Bill 106.

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