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 Senate Bill 6

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC FILES

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 12 creates the Education Reform Task Force and provides for its membership and duties. The bill has an emergency clause.

Significant Issues

The task force has nineteen members which must be formed using the following criteria:

• Three members from the House of Representatives, two from the majority and one from the minority, appointed by the Speaker of the House;



• Three members from the Senate, two from the majority and one from the minority, appointed by the President Pro Tempore after consulting the Committees' Committee;
• Three members of the Executive Branch, appointed by the Governor;



• The Superintendent of Public Instruction (or his designee);



• The President of the State Board of Education (or his designee);



• The President of the New Mexico School Boards Association (or his designee);



• One school teacher, one administrator, and one parent of a school-age child, appointed by the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore; and



• One school teacher, one administrator (private or public), and two representatives of private industry appointed by the Governor.




The bill also provides that the appointments shall be made no later than twenty days after the effective date of this act. The Governor, with leadership concurrence, shall appoint the chairman. Also, the Governor, Speaker, and the President Pro Tempore may appoint advisory members.





The task force may not meet less than once a month, and must develop an action plan for public school reform. The task force is required to report its findings and recommendations no later than December 1, 1999.





The Emergency Clause makes the bill effective immediately after being signed by the Governor.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 12 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the Legislative Council Service for expenditure in fiscal years 1999 and 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 will revert to the general fund.





ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS





The Legislative Council Service shall staff the task force and will coordinate any other staff assistance required from the legislative and executive agencies as needed. Payments from the appropriation shall be made upon vouchers signed by the Director of the Legislative Council Service or an appointed representative.





CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP





Senate Bill 12 relates to Senate Bill 6 (Eisenstadt).





MW/prr