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 HB 438, HB 148, HB 250, SB 106

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) analysis

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA) analysis

Public Defender Department (PDD) analysis

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 522 creates and provides appropriations for two new judgeships in the Second Judicial District Court, one new judgeship each in the Sixth and Eleventh Judicial District Courts, four new judgeships for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, two new magistrate judgeships in Dona Ana County, two new magistrate judgeships in San Juan County, and one new magistrate judgeship in Santa Fe County.

The bill appropriates funding for the judgeships as well as equipment and staff for the new judges and costs to the District Attorney offices and the Public Defender Department, which are impacted by the new judgeships.

Significant Issues

House Bill 522 was constructed with the needs of the individual District Attorney and Public Defender offices impacted by the new judgeships taken into consideration.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 522 appropriates a total of $3,874.0 in recurring general fund. $2,403.0 is appropriated to the Courts, $474.0 is appropriated to the District Attorneys, and $997.0 is appropriated to the Public Defender Department.

RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 522 relates to a number of other bills. House Bill 438 requests mandatory funding for Public Defenders and District Attorneys whenever new criminal judgeships are created. House Bills 148 and 250 provide for two new Dona Ana magistrate judgeships. Senate Bill 106 provides for two new Dona Ana magistrates and a new one in Sierra County.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

According to Administrative Office of the District Attorney analysis, there is a technical error on page 10 of the bill. The amount in section F.2 has been transposed with the amount in section G.2. The Eleventh Judicial District Attorney Division Two needs $69.0 and the First Judicial District Attorney needs $46.0.

BOC/prr