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





SPONSOR: Gonzales DATE TYPED: 02/09/99 HB 352
SHORT TITLE: Media Literacy & Substance Abuse SB
ANALYST: Fernandez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 198.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to SB 270



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



State Department of Education (SDE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 352 appropriates $198.0 to SDE for the purpose of conducting the statewide media education and teacher training programs to meet the needs for media literacy and substance abuse and violence prevention.



Significant Issues



According to SDE, research indicates that media literacy training programs result in a reduction of student violence and drug use. Research also indicates that there is an increase in time students devote to home and an increase in learning of critical thinking skills which transfer to other content areas.



Media literacy programs were supported in the amount of $30.0 by the Special Project appropriation in 1997-98. In 1998-99, medica literacy programs were supported by private and non-profit businesses.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



This bill appropriates $198.0 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



SDE indicates that this legislation would provide for the continuation of an on-going project currently administered by the department and oversight responsibilities for this program could be accomplished with existing staff.



RELATIONSHIP



House Bill 352 relates to Senate Bill 270. SB270 appropriates $100.0 to SDE for the same purpose.



CTF/njw