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:	Cordova, K.		DATE TYPED:	3/11/03		HB	HJM 56
SHORT TITLE:		School Library Materials Fund Study				SB
					ANALYST:		L. Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	NFI		See Narrative

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Conflicts with HB 570, School Library Materials Act

Relates to SB 627, School Library Material Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 56 requests that the Legislative Education Study Committee and State Department of Education (SDE), with the participation of professional school librarians and library associations, study the feasibility of the establishment of a permanent funding mechanism for school library material similar to the instructional material that guarantees equitable access to textbooks and other instructional materials; and that the study include as a fiscal criterion the cost of one book per student per year for each New Mexico public school student. Results of the study are to be reported to the Legislature by November 2003.

Significant Issues

Libraries and library materials play a significant role in the learning process for students. Adequacy of and access to a variety of learning materials are crucial to academic success and, equally important is a consistent revenue stream for the purchase of such materials. In addition, SDE observes that:

“The provisions of the Instructional Material Act require the Instructional Materials Bureau to conduct a review of materials for adoption by the State Board of Education (SBE) to ensure that materials are free from sectarian, religious, ethnic and gender bias. Furthermore, the act requires various duties to the Instructional Material Bureau staff in the administration of the act. Thus, participants in the study described in this bill will need to consider the administrative implications as well as funding mechanism of a similar process for school library resources”.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

HJM 56 does not contain an appropriation. However, the resulting study will recommend an amount that may be required to satisfy the requirement that the cost of one book per student pr year be used as a fiscal criterion. Should the provisions of the bill become law, there will be a yearly draw on the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE reports that sufficient staff is available to conduct the study, and recommends that consideration be given to the number and type of staffing that will be needed to implement the provisions of the bill should the proposals in it become law.

LRB/yr