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

SPONSOR Garcia, M.J.

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/2/07

HB

SHORT TITLE NMSU Virtual Film School

SB 459

ANALYST Leger

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$250.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to:

SB 31, SB 384, SB 379, SB 521

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD)

New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 459 appropriates $250 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of

New Mexico State University (NMSU) for the purpose of creating a virtual film school in the

creative media institute for the office of distance education at NMSU.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $250 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY08 shall revert to

the general fund.

Senate Bill 459 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

HED verifies NMSU offers a Bachelor of Individualized Studies through the Creative Media

Institute (CMI). CMI began as part of Governor Richardson’s support of the states growing film

industry. In only its second semester, CMI has 131 students registered for courses.

SB 459 appropriates funds to create a virtual film school, this project is collaboration between

NMSU the local 480 union of film. The virtual film school would establish the first online film

classes in the state. Funds would also pay for two additional gaming and animation faculty

members to work with distance education specialists and teach online courses. In addition to

providing two faculty members, funds will facilitate statewide travel for workshops as well as

purchase film specific equipment and supplies.

HED notes the virtual film school is still in the development phase. NMSU CMI also submitted

a request to HED for $2.3 million which is included in SB 31.

RELATIONSHIP

SB 31 appropriates $2.3 million to NMSU CMI.

SB 384 appropriates $500 thousand to HED for film and media employment training and student

productions.

SB 379 appropriates $50 thousand to EDD to promote film and media enterprises in NM.

SB 521 appropriates $250 thousand to HED to develop a motion picture arts training program at

the appropriate public post-secondary educational institution.

JL/nt