NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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 for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Taylor, J.P.

 

DATE TYPED:

03/6/03

 

HB

751/aHAFC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Partnership Parenting Education Program

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

L. Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to: HB 212, Public School Reforms

                  HJM 18, Availability of Nutritious Foods

                  SB 230, Public School Reforms

                  SB 252, Education for At-Risk families

 

Relates to Appropriation for New Mexico State University in the General Appropriation Act. 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

State Department of Education (SDE)

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

Department of Health (DOH)

New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture & Home Economics (NMSU)

 

SUMMARY

   

      Synopsis of HAFC Amendments

 

The amendments adopted by the House Appropriation and Finance Committee strike the appropriation, stipulate that “funds are appropriated;” and limit the parenting activities to Don Ana County.  Senate Bill 655 includes $25.0 for this purpose.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 751appropriates $300.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University (NMSU) for expanding a family strengthening partnership parenting and life skills and to provide nutrition education and other services in areas of Dona Ana, Luna, Otero, and Sierra counties with high rates of adolescent abuse.

 

     Significant Issues

 

This appropriation is to continue a program at NMSU whose first three years were supported by a federal grant that has ended.  The program is considered a highly successful one that addresses areas with a high percentage of at-risk families, and state funding is necessary if the program is to continue and be available to provide services to nearly 4,000 families in the area.  According to DOH, this program, the Nurturing Parenting Program, has been designated as a Model Program by the federal government.  The goals of the Nurturing Parent Program include the building of family support and cohesion, increased awareness of developmental needs and healthy eating habits.  To attain these and other program goals, 24 class sessions each lasting 2 and 1/2 hours are held with classes for children and parents running concurrently.  While parents learn about self-nurturing and nurturing children, children participate in art, music, drama, and games designed to build self-esteem and promote physical and emotional development.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $300.0 in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

This request was not included in NMSU’s budget request to the NMSU Board of Regents, and thus was not included in the list of priority projects submitted by NMSU to the Commission on Higher Education for review.

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The CHE suggests adding the following language for all new recurring higher education programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2003-2004):

 

“A plan for a program evaluation, including specific program goals and criteria for assessing program effectiveness, shall be submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by October 1, 2004.  An assessment of the program will be completed prior to June 30, 2005, and submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education.”

 

LRB/prr