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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Robinson
DATE TYPED 2/16/05
HB
SHORT TITLE Office of Archaeological Studies
SB 553
ANALYST Hadwiger
APPROPRIATION
(in $000s)
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$150.0
Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Cultural Affairs Department
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 553 appropriates $150,000 from the general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department
(DCA) in FY06 for salaries, personnel, and operating expenses for the Office of Archaeological
Studies (OAS) in the Museum of New Mexico.
Significant Issues
DCA noted that the OAS conducts archaeological field and laboratory studies throughout the
Southwest and provides specialized support in archaeological dating, pottery studies, ethno-
botany and ethnography. The OAS operates as an enterprise, receiving no general fund appro-
priations for many tasks related to its responsibilities. For example, no funding is available to
respond to public requests, because all staff time is dedicated to specific highway and other capi-
tal projects—a requirement of the funding source from which they are paid. SB553 would allow
OAS to perform more services and offer more programs to the general public, such as providing
educational outreach programs.