NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB113, Relates to HB3 and SB3

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $150.0 to SDE for expansion of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and services in rural areas of the state.

Significant Issues

The State Department of Education conducted a study in 1997 identified approximately 3,500 eligible adults unable to participate in ABE programs because services are not available in rural areas where they reside.

SDE reports that there are currently 24 administrative entities that operate ABE programs at 235 instructional sites throughout the state. The administrative entities include seventeen state supported two-year colleges, two community based organizations, two local agencies, Department of Corrections, and two post-secondary Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.

These funds would cover the cost to create new instructional centers to serve eligible students in rural isolated areas.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 193 appropriates $150.0 to SDE from the general fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to expand the Adult Basic Education programs in rural areas. Any unexpended or unencumbered balances remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The State Department of Education currently administers the Adult Basic Education program with 1.10 full-time employees, funded from the federal Adult Literacy Grant. The department also receives approximately $13,000.00 from indirect costs to administer to program. Federal funding also supports an additional ABE position housed at Santa Fe Community College to assist with the administration and monitoring of the statewide programs.

The State Department Of Education indicates that this legislation would provide for the continuation of an on-going project currently administered by the department.

RELATES/DUPLICATION

House Bill 193 duplicates Senate Bill 113.

Included in House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 3 is $4,700.0 for Adult Basic Education programs.

CTF/njw