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





SPONSOR: Roberts DATE TYPED: 03/04/01 HB HJR 25
SHORT TITLE: Distance Learning Programs, CA SB
ANALYST: Gilbert


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02

Indeterminate



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to: SC336, SC426, SB532, SB37, SB585, HB141, HB44, HB526

SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Joint Resolution 25 proposes, through an amendment to article 12, section 13 of the Constitution of New Mexico, to grant the Legislature authority over the boards of regents at higher educational institutions for the purpose of providing distance learning programs. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date which may be called for that purpose



Significant Issues

This resolution proposes to amend Article 12, Section 13 of the Constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section D as outlined below:



D. The legislature may provide by law for distance learning programs."



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



Passage of this bill, which proposes a constitutional amendment, may require an appropriation from the general fund to the Secretary of State for expenditure in FY02 to covers costs associated with holding a special election.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Senate Bill 532 appropriates $5.0 million from the general fund to the telecommunications infrastructure fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 and subsequent fiscal years to implement the provisions of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Act for the development of the telecommunications infrastructure for local communities, school districts, educational institutions and health care institutions, including facilities and equipment necessary for high-speed data transmission, is a prerequisite to economic development, distance learning and telemedicine in all areas of the state.


House Bill 526 appropriates $235.8 to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Local Government Division to create ten educational access rooms to provide models for providing access to technology and education at community centers throughout New Mexico. The access rooms will be used for coordinated tutoring, distance learning, and parent involvement services.

SC336 one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) to purchase and install equipment for the instructional television classroom and other telecommunication expenses related to statewide distance education at the Roswell campus at eastern New Mexico University.

SC336 appropriates $500.0 to purchase distance education equipment.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



Development of the telecommunications infrastructure for local communities, school districts, educational institutions and health care institution is a prerequisite to economic development, distance learning and telemedicine. Broadband telecommunications services have become critical for economic growth and survival. However, most local communities cannot finance these infrastructure needs alone because of inadequate bonding capacity and lag time between development and the generation of revenue, and private telecommunications providers have often been unwilling to provide such infrastructure because the projected return on investment in the infrastructure does not justify the cost over the short term.



LG/njw:ar