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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

New Mexico Border Authority

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 858 appropriates $275.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Border Authority for the purpose of contracting for services and to hire personnel to support the attraction and retention of suppliers for maquiladoras.

Significant Issues

Currently, the agency does not have any recruiting staff. The agency consists of three FTE, focused on the coordination and implementation of border initiatives that benefit the state of New Mexico. The Border Authority would need to contract with a professional recruiting company rather than utilize existing staff. The appropriation in this bill would increase the budget by 117%.

The Economic Development Department's Job Creation & Job Growth program houses the domestic and international recruiters. In addition, this program has a performance measure relating to the job creation in the border region:

Percent of jobs created in the foreign trade zone (out of net new jobs in the

foreign trade zone) as a result of the job creation and job growth program. 33%

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $275.0 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.

MW/ar