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

SPONSOR:	Garcia		DATE TYPED:	03/08/01		HB
SHORT TITLE:		National Guard Scholarship Program				SB	328/aSFC
					ANALYST:		Woodlee

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01

FY02

FY01

FY02

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Military Affairs

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFC Amendment

The Senate Finance Committee amendment to Senate Bill 328 strikes the appropriation of $637.0. These funds are contained in the agency's operating budget.

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Bill 328 appropriates $637.0 from the general fund to the Department of Military Affairs for the New Mexico National Guard Scholarship program. The bill provides that the awards will be made in accordance with rules adopted and promulgated by the Department of Military Affairs. In addition, the bill provides that the board of regents of each public post-secondary educational institution shall designate a representative to coordinate the scholarship program.

Significant Issues

According to the agency, tuition reimbursement is the number one discriminator in terms of recruitment. Currently, the New Mexico National Guard ranks last in the nation in terms of readiness and is short approximately 1000 soldiers. The agency's goal is to recruit 350 new soldiers for fiscal year 2002.

Currently, the NM National Guard only is able to fund 66% of tuition costs for the soldiers in the program. The appropriation contained in this bill would bring the current students to 100% tuition reimbursement. Also, the appropriation would fund an additional 70 soldiers who wish to enter the tuition reimbursement program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $637.0 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/njw