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.



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 Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.





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





SPONSOR: Godbey DATE TYPED: 02/14/01 HB 480
SHORT TITLE: Amend Investigator & Polygrapher Act SB
ANALYST: Valdes


REVENUE



Estimated Revenue
Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02
$ (15.0) $ (15.0) Recurring Other State Funds



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)





SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Regulation and Licensing Department



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 480 would add corrections officers employed by non-government employers to the list of those exempted from the provisions of the Private Investigators and Polygraphers Act. Additionally, the bill would allow the department to issue a private investigator or a private investigator manager license to an applicant licensed in another state which has similar or more stringent licensing requirements than New Mexico.



Significant Issues



According to the Regulation and Licensing Department, exempting correctional officers employed by non-governmental employers would decrease the liability of the state for incidences occurring at privately run correctional facilities.



The bill would also provide licensure recognition and reciprocity with other states by allowing the Board of Investigators and Polygraphers to license private investigators and private investigator managers from other states subject to other states having similar or more stringent licensing requirements than New Mexico. This practice is common in other states.







FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



This bill would have a negative impact on the license application revenue which is a $15 fee per applicant. It is estimated that the revenue loss would be in the range of $15.0.





ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The passage of this bill would reduce the number of applications that must be processed and the number of licenses issued.





OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The Board of Private Investigators and Polygraphers and administrative staff do not have the expertise to certify prison guards.









ANA/sec