Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports
if they are used for other purposes.
Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).
Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and
attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Sandoval
DATE TYPED 02/07/05 HB 486
SHORT TITLE Homeless Veterans Assistance Programs
SB
ANALYST Chabot
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$548.0
Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates SB 344 except that bill does not include an emergency clause
Relates to HB 191, and SB 88
Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Human Services Department (HSD)
New Mexico Department of Labor (NMDOL)
Veterans’ Services Department (VSD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 486 appropriates $548 thousand from the general fund to VSD for the purpose of
providing outreach and direct services to homeless veterans including housing, employment
training, support services and recreational activities.
Significant Issues
VSD currently has a contract with the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center in Albuquerque
for 30 beds through a federal grant solely for homeless veterans. The Center has a capacity for
80 beds but lacks funding to expand services.
pg_0002
House Bill 486 -- Page 2
NMDOL states this appropriation would “significantly enhance our mission to veterans.” The
agency has a Veterans Employment Program which provides priority service for “day labor,” job
search, and outreach to the Homeless Veteran Re-integration Program.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
This appropriation directly relates to the performance measure on the number of homeless veter-
ans provided shelter for a period of two weeks or more.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $548 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general
fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall
revert to the general fund.
The LFC FY06 appropriation recommendation is balanced between revenues and expenditures
and any increase in recurring funding must be offset by reductions in other areas of the recom-
mendation. The Legislature must consider all priorities and funding requirements to find reve-
nue to support this legislation.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
VSD will have to determine the best method of providing the required services. HSD states
there will need to coordination among HSD, VSD, Department of Health, Mortgage Finance Au-
thority, and other state and local government agencies. Rather than establishing employment
services, VSD should collaborate with NMDOL and use existing services.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.
Expenditures for homeless veterans will remain at the current level if fully funded in the General
Appropriation Act.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
1.
What services are envisioned and what is the proposed method of delivery.
2.
Will envisioned services be concentrated in one area or dispersed throughout the state.
3.
If the services are concentrated, what means will be used for outreach to rural parts of the
state.
GAC/njw