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)

Relates to House Bill 539

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HAFC Amendment

The amendment changes the third part of the definition of emergency or disaster event from "warrants the protection of the state's critical infrastructure" to "threatens damage to the state's critical infrastructure."

Synopsis of Bill

The bill amends Section 6-3-25 NMSA of the budget adjustment procedures to provide that a budget adjustment request (BAR) to increase funds pursuant an emergency or disaster declaration made by executive order is exempt from the required 10-day waiting period. The section is further amended to define "emergency or disaster event" as one that "threatens loss of life, threatens loss of property, or warrants the protection of the state's critical infrastructure".

Significant Issues

Although not provided by law, the LFC director does authorize waivers of the 10-day waiting period if justified.

RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 539, introduced by the same sponsor, also exempts budget increases resulting for an emergency or disaster declared by the governor in an executive order. The bill does not define "emergency or disaster incident".

DKB/prr:njw