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





SPONSOR: Urioste DATE TYPED: 02/21/01 HB 635
SHORT TITLE: 9th Judicial Victim Advocate Program SB
ANALYST: Hayes


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 141.4 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



HB635 appropriates $141.4 from the general fund to the "Ninth Judicial District" Court? or Attorney? for the purpose of funding the victim advocate program.



Section 1 of the bill authorizes $35,000.00 to be appropriated from the general fund to the Ninth Judicial District to operate the victim advocate program. Section 2 authorizes a second appropriation of $106,464.00 be appropriated from the general fund to the Ninth Judicial District for the victim advocate program for employee salary parity. Funds are to be spent in fiscal year 2002.



Significant Issues



The Ninth Judicial District Court, through the AOC, responded to this bill analysis by stating that the court presently has no financial or oversight connection with the victim advocate program. This program is presently operated by the 9th Judicial District Attorney. The District Attorney's office is obligated by state statute to provide such a program (Section 31-26-9 NMSA 1978). The monies allocated in this bill are better directed to District Attorney's office in the 9th Judicial District for administration.











FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $141.4 contained in this bill is a 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.



TECHNICAL ISSUES



The specific agency to whom this bill is addressed and to whom receives its appropriation is unclear. Whether it is the Ninth Judicial District Court or the District Attorney needs to be clarified.



Effective date is not specified in the bill.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



1. Explain the one hundred thousand dollars needed for salary parity in the victim advocate program and why it is needed.





CMH/sec