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.



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



SPONSOR: Garcia DATE TYPED: 01/27/00 HB
SHORT TITLE: NMSU Southwest & Border Culture Institute SB 55
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 450.0 Rec GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HB98



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $450.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the New Mexico State University to match federal money to establish the Southwest and Border Cultures Institute.



Significant Issues



According to CHE, this program would support faculty and student research and public outreach projects on Native American, Hispanic, US-Mexico border, and general southwestern issues and projects.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $450.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill duplicates House Bill 98.



TECHNICAL ISSUES



According to OCA, the bill should clarify the collaborative role which the OCA will have with NMSU.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



CHE recommends the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



APP/gm