NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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 for other purposes.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Rodriguez

 

DATE TYPED:

1/31/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Services for Deaf Persons

 

SB

198

 

 

ANALYST:

Weber

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

$100.0

 

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Commission for the Deaf and hard of Hearing

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 198 appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing to contract for expanding statewide outreach efforts, including case management and sign language interpretation for deaf and hard of hearing persons.  The bill contains an emergency clause making funds available for Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing reports it has administered this type of fund for the past three years.  The services are contracted with oversight maintained by the agency.

 

This agency defines and then oversees the contractor performance in conjunction with the agency's performance based goals. One of the primary performance goals is to increase and improve access to services for deaf and hard of hearing New Mexicans. Senate Bill 198 is in direct response to community needs brought directly to the commission and also in response to statutory duties. Performance will be recorded and reported.

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $100,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2004 shall revert to the General Fund.

 

MW/njw/ls