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.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Department of Labor (DOL)

No Response Received:

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Taxation and Revenue Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 598 appropriates $85.0 from the general fund to DFA's Local Government Division for the purpose of conducting an economic and geographic study of the southwest quadrant of Bernalillo county.

Significant Issues

The bill does not explain the purpose or purposes of the study.

The bill allows expenditure in fiscal years 2001 and 2002.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $85.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation contained in this bill would presumably be used to contract out the requested study. DFA would be the contracting agency.

A number of state agencies and higher education institutions conduct and use demographic and economic studies, including the Taxation and Revenue Department, the New Mexico Department of Labor and the University of New Mexico. The appropriation in this bill might be more effectively made to one of these entities, which could integrate the work of the study into its ongoing activities.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Would more information about the purpose of the study help policymakers evaluate the benefit of the appropriation?

LP/njw