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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Rainaldi
DATE TYPED 1/26/05
HB
SHORT TITLE Intertribal Ceremonial Act
SB 46
ANALYST Rosen
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$400.0
Indeterminate Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
REVENUE
Estimated Revenue
Subsequent
Years Impact
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
$400.0
Indeterminate Recurring Intertribal Ceremonial
Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Tourism Department (TD)
Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)
pg_0002
Senate Bill 46 -- Page 2
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 46 creates the Intertribal Ceremonial Office within the Tourism Department, creates
an Intertribal Ceremonial board of seven members appointed by the Governor to serve five-year
terms, provides for at least a majority of board members to be Native American, establishes the
Intertribal Ceremonial Fund, and appropriates $400.0 from the general fund to the Intertribal
Ceremonial Fund for the purpose of administering annual intertribal ceremonials, promoting
ceremonies of significance to Indian tribes and pueblos and coordinating all services and activi-
ties pertaining to intertribal ceremonials. Senate Bill 46 contains an emergency clause.
Significant Issues
DIA indicates state funding for the annual Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, the fifth largest tourist
attraction in the state and an annual event for more than 83 years, was discontinued under the
previous administration, creating financial hardship and jeopardizing the Ceremonial’s continued
existence.
TD indicates it is unclear exactly what role the Tourism Department would be expected to play
in its cooperative relationship with the Intertribal Ceremonial Office. TD also notes this bill does
not make provision for management of activities normally associated with such events, including
sales of tickets, booth spaces, refreshments, and ancillary products.
EMNRD indicates the intertribal ceremonial event is annually sponsored by the Gallup Inter-
tribal Ceremonial Association and held at Red Rock Park in Gallup. EMNRD indicates Red
Rock Park is owned by the City of Gallup and operated by a private concessionaire. EMNRD
indicates it is likely that the ownership of Red Rock Park may be conveyed to EMNRD’s State
Parks Division.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
Indeterminate
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $400.0 contained in this bill is for staffing, management and promotion of
the intertribal ceremonial and, as such, a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended
or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall not revert to the general fund.
Continuing Appropriations
This bill creates a new fund and provides for continuing appropriations. The LFC objects to in-
cluding continuing appropriation language in the statutory provisions for newly created funds.
Earmarking reduces the ability of the legislature to establish spending priorities.
pg_0003
Senate Bill 46 -- Page 3
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
DIA indicates Senate Bill 46 provides for a Director for the Office but does not specify the num-
ber of support staff required to carry out the provisions of the Intertribal Ceremonial Act. DIA
notes additional money may be needed to hire administrative support staff and recurring funding
will be required to fulfill the ongoing duties and goals of the Office.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
DIA indicates creation of an Intertribal Ceremonial Office will assist tribal governments in de-
velopment of tourism and marketing plans and promotion of cultural tourism that brings eco-
nomic benefits to the tribes, pueblos and the state as a whole.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
The board is to consist of seven members, yet the staggered first year appointments amount to
only six members. In addition, the board has no stated purpose or duties.
JR/lg