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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Knauer DATE TYPED: 02/07/00 HB HJM 64
SHORT TITLE: "Visibility" Issues in New Homes SB
ANALYST: Pickering


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
NFI NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates SJM 24



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Governor's Committee on the Concerns of the Handicapped (GCCH)

SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



HJM 64 directs GCCH to create a task-force to study the issue of "visibility"in new home construction in New Mexico. The task-force would be composed of representatives from the disabled community, home builders, architects, and zoning officials. According to GCCH, the task force would look at the problems mobility impaired people, both young and old, face in visiting family, friends and/or school mates due to architectural barriers such as steps and narrow doors.



Significant Issues



The barriers often cause people with mobility impairment to become isolated. "Visibility"

is a concept that the very basics of new home construction would include: one no-step entrance (at any location) to a home, 36" doors and a usable bathroom along an accessible routes. GCCH

noted that such new home features would allow people with disabilities to purchase, lease or rent homes without having to make much more expensive retrofit accessibility modifications.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



HJM 64 duplicates SJM 24.



RWP/gm