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 Revenue Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $161.5 to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico to support the operation of the statewide poison and drug information center.

Significant Issues

According to the CHE, the project proposed in this bill was ranked 4^th of eleven special project requests made by the institution.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $161.5 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY00 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to the CHE, the funding proposed in this bill would add 2.4 FTE poison information specialists to meet the current demand for services. The new staff would reduce call ratios, from 8,000 to 5,500 to 6,000 calls per FTE, to levels prescribed by national safety standards. This would decrease expenditures currently required to provide overtime compensation or $25,000 per year.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the CHE, the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center is administratively attached to the College of Pharmacy at UNM and is the only such Center in the state. The Center provides statewide services by assessing and making treatment recommendations for possible poisonings through a toll-free, 24-hour telephone hotline. The Center also prevents poisonings through public education; provides up-to-date drug information to health practitioners and the public; and trains health care providers in the fields of clinical toxicology and drug information. It is certified as a Regional Poison Center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

The CHE suggests the following language: The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and CHE by August 1, 2002, detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico.

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