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





SPONSOR: Pinto DATE TYPED: 02/01/00 HB
SHORT TITLE: Homes for Indigent Veterans on Tribal Lands SB 245
ANALYST: Kehoe


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 1,600.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to Senate Bill 244



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Office of Indian Affairs (OIA)

LFC Files



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 245 appropriates $1,600.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs to purchase materials and to construct homes for indigent veterans living on tribal land in the Four Corners area in New Mexico.



Significant Issues



According to the Office of Indian Affairs, there is a great need and demand for housing on the Navajo Nation. The most current data available indicates there is a waiting list of 13,350 families in need of homes on the Navajo reservation, both in New Mexico and Arizona. Private home ownership opportunities are less than five percent in the reservation communities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The $1,600.0 appropriation from the general fund is for expenditure in fiscal years 2001 through 2003. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2003 reverts to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



There would be minimal administrative impact on the Office of Indian Affairs. The agency would enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with a governmental entity to provide the infrastructure intended in Senate Bill 245.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Senate Bill 244 appropriates $3,000.0 from the general fund to provide matching funds for the Navajo Nation Veterans' Trust Fund to provide services for Navajo Nation veterans and their families.



TECHNICAL ISSUES



Senate Bill 245 is for capital outlay expenditures. The appropriation should be from Severance Tax Bonds rather than the general fund.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS