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.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Senate Memorial 21

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Human Services Department

Environment Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFC Amendment

The Senate Finance Committee amendment strikes the $25.0 appropriation.

Synopsis of Bill

The bill creates a 10-member joint interim Internet committee appointed by the Legislative Council. The committee will function from the date of appointment to December 1, 1999.

The committee is requested to examine the Internet and related information technology and public issues, including privacy protection, security and the role of encryption, unwanted e-mail, content regulation, taxation, fraud and law enforcement, electronic commerce and designing web-enabled government and address the resulting problems and policy issues affecting the public and private sectors and New Mexico citizens.

Finally, the committee is requested to make a report of its findings, including recommended legislation, to the legislature by December 15, 1999.

Significant Issues

The state's information technology plan includes the Internet as a key strategy for delivering services in the future. Issues relating to Internet activities continue to develop and evolve and affect both the private and public sectors.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

SFC Amendment

The amendment strikes the $25.0 appropriation. It is likely the expenses of the committee would be paid from the appropriation for interim expenses contained in the Feed Bill.

Original Bill

The bill appropriates $25.0 from the general fund for expenditure in FY99 and FY2000 for salaries and expenses of assistants, equipment and supplies, and per diem and mileage for committee members. Unexpended and unencumbered balances remaining at the end of FY2000 revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Legislative Council Service will be required to provide staff support to the committee.

RELATIONSHIP

Senate Memorial 21 requests that the Legislative Council appoint an interim committee to study New Mexico's needs to participate fully in the information superhighway for its economic development.

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