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

SPONSOR Lundstrom

DATE TYPED 3/11/05 HM 53

SHORT TITLE Investigate Animal Rescue Organizations

SB

ANALYST Medina

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

Minimal Non-Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA)

NM Livestock Board

Response Not Received From

Attorney General (AG)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Memorial

House Memorial 53 requests that the Attorney General, AODA and the NM Livestock Board

work in cooperation to investigate animal rescue groups that raise funds as charitable organiza-

tions but do not provide animal rescue services in an appropriate manner. The memorial also re-

quests that the Attorney General and AODA report to the Legislature on their investigation and

enforcement actions involving animal rescue groups organized as charitable organizations to pro-

vide care and rehabilitation services to animals rescued from abusive circumstances.

Significant Issues

While the AODA has indicated that it has neither the resources nor expertise necessary to con-

duct such an investigation, the New Mexico Livestock Board already does monitor animal rescue

groups’ facilities and their ability to provide care for livestock. However, the Livestock Board

does not monitor the misuse of funds by these organizations.

House Memorial 53 -- Page 2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The Livestock Board asserts that the memorial would have a minimal additional fiscal and ad-

ministrative impact on the agency since it already performs the activity that the memorial re-

quests of the agency.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to the Livestock Board, under the memorial, the Attorney General may get a call

about a rescue facility misusing funds, and at that time, the Livestock Board would have to in-

vestigate the facility to assure the livestock are being cared for properly. The Livestock Board

indicates that this process is currently in place for the agency although with this bill being

passed, the Attorney General could assure the funds are being used for the care of the livestock.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

If this memorial is not enacted, the House of Representatives would not request the cooperation

of the Attorney General, AODA and the NM Livestock Board in monitoring the misuse of funds

by organizations claiming to provide animal rescue services.

DXM/lg