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

SPONSOR Vigil

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-2-06

2-8-06 HB 537/aHAGC

SHORT TITLE Acequia Service-Learning Project

SB

ANALYST Surdi/Baca

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$150.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to, HB 495 and SJM 18

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HGAC Amendment

The Agriculture and Water Resources Committee amendments to House Bill 537 allows the ap-

propriation to be expended in FY07 and FY08 instead of limiting expenditures to FY07, and

changes the reversion of unexpended or unencumbered funds reversion date to the end of FY08.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 537 appropriates $150.0 from the general fund to (PED) for the purpose of imple-

menting an acequia service learning project.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $150.0 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.

House Bill 537/aHAGC – Page 2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Acequia Service-Learning Project provides an opportunity for students to learn the traditions and

history of water governance and water management in New Mexico. Students learn about their

community needs and engage youth in civic responsibility, academic curriculum and social action.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

HB 537 would impact the amount of time PED staff spends on the technical assistance and sup-

port of this program. Currently one FTE at PED oversees service learning projects in New Mex-

ico public schools. The cost for managing this appropriation would be minimal to the Advanced

Placement Bureau, overseer of service learning projects.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 537 relates to House Bill 495 in that it appropriates fund for the purpose of imple-

menting an acequia learning project. House Bill 537 funds PED with $150.0 and House Bill 495

funds DFA with $475.0.

Senate Joint Memorial 18 calls for PED to implement an acequia learning project.

GS/yr:mt