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

SPONSOR Wirth

DATE TYPED 2/21/05

HB 831

SHORT TITLE New Mexico Statehood Centennial Planning

SB

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION

(in $000s)

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$90.0

Non-Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Cultural Affairs Department (DCA)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 831 appropriates $90,000 from the general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department

for expenditure in FY06 and subsequent fiscal years to research, design and create a statewide

master plan for commemorating the centennial of New Mexico’s admission to statehood in 1912,

including historic preservation, educational programs and activities and the contributions of all

peoples and cultures throughout New Mexico’s history.

Significant Issues

The New Mexico centennial will be in 2012. It will encompass who we were before statehood,

the commemoration of statehood, how we have developed since statehood, and where we are go-

ing in the next 100 years. According to DCA, in order for this type of all-inclusive celebration to

occur, an organization with statewide reach, along with contacts in the public and private sectors,

should serve as the central coordinator for the centennial. The department’s Historic Preservation

Division partners with local, state and federal entities across the state. In addition, the division

House Bill 831-- Page 2

has recorded historic sites in all 33 counties across New Mexico and can support the historical

research, interpretation and presentation that are valuable and necessary components to the 100-

year commemoration.

According to the Public Education Department, as the centennial of New Mexico approaches it is

important for the state to begin the planning of activities for the centennial as other states have

also done. Oklahoma will be celebrating its centennial in 2007 and has many activities and post-

ings on its web page to help citizens prepare. New Mexico has such a rich, diverse history that

allowing this time to prepare will enhance the quality of the celebration and ensure that all New

Mexicans have time and an opportunity to participate in this special event. This will also allow

enough time for the state plan to be developed in order to invite our schools’ participation. Some

curricular modifications to ensure appropriate attention to this event may be involved.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

DCA noted that commemorating the centennial with a focus on preservation of sites and land-

marks is within the mission of the Historic Preservation Division, and is supported through exist-

ing statutes [Prehistoric and Historic Sites Preservation Act 18-8-1 through 18-8-8, NMSA 1978,

Cultural Properties Protection Act 18-6A-1 through 18-6A-6, NMSA 1978]. The division is re-

sponsible for documenting, recording and supporting preservation activities that include produc-

tive partnerships with numerous organizations, such as certified local governments, local school

districts, state universities, community libraries, New Mexico state monuments, DCA museums,

the state historian and private citizens. This program will substantially enhance the ability of

New Mexico’s communities to plan and implement centennial preservation and education pro-

jects and promote heritage tourism. In addition, these activities will positively impact all of HPD

preservation performance measures.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $90,000 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would not revert

to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Proposed bill will have administrative and staffing implications for the Historic Preservation Di-

vision, and the division requests a small percentage of the overall funding for administrative

costs.

DH/lg