Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may 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 Begaye

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-2-06

HB 508

SHORT TITLE At-Risk Youth Character Development Program

SB

ANALYST Surdi

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$250.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 508 makes an appropriation of $250.0 to the Public Education Department (PED)

from the general fund for FY 2007 to implement four tribal and four non-tribal character devel-

opment programs for at-risk youths in eight schools. Any unexpended or unencumbered funds

shall revert back to the general fund at the end of FY 2007.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $250.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2007 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Through the adoption of the New Mexico Standards for Excellence, under 6.30.2.8, the PED ad-

dresses the issue of character education. This section identifies the personal qualities of individu-

als that New Mexico schools and communities recognize and promotes character education.

(PED-LITES Program, Character Education).

House Bill 508 – Page 2

A character education program:

•

Is a framework, employed by schools, communities, businesses and other organizations

helping millions of youths to develop the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, re-

spect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. (www.charactercounts.org).

•

Is research supported and in-line with No Child Left Behind requirements.

•

Studies repeatedly show that character education reduces misbehavior and improves the

focus on school.

•

Studies show it cuts crime, drug abuse and other misbehavior and bolsters students’

commitment to school. Teachers commonly say that the whole school climate changes.

The character development concept is supported by the Josephson Institute of Ethics

(

www.josephsoninstitute.org

).

Inclusion of four tribal schools will promote the goals of the PED as it implements the Indian

Education Act of 2003 to:

•

Partner with tribes to increase tribal involvement and control over schools and the educa-

tion of students located in tribal communities; and,

•

Provide for the study, development and implementation of educational systems that posi-

tively affect the educational success of American Indian students.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The PED is the administrative agency for the bill. PED would need to assign staff to assist in de-

veloping an RFP and provide fiscal oversight.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

Other sources of funds would have to be found to provide character development programs for

at-risk youths in the eight schools.

GS/nt