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





SPONSOR: Lopez DATE TYPED: 02/03/99 HB
SHORT TITLE: Fund Various Senior Citizen Programs SB 298
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 8,709.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Companion to: HB 358 Relates to: HB 2 and SB 2



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



State Agency on Aging



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 298 appropriates $8,709.0 to the State Agency on Aging for statewide programs. The funding would expand services provided through senior citizen centers, senior volunteer programs, and other statewide services.



Significant Issues



According to the agency, the amount requested is the result of a prioritization process coordinated by the State Agency on Aging. The request would address current demands for services and responds to the increasing demand for in-home services for frail older persons. The request for long term care ombudsman includes an increase of one FTE for the Agency on Aging to be placed in the north west area of the state. The request for the employment program includes one additional FTE. The funds would break down into the following appropriations:



- $6,295.2 to the six area Agencies on Aging for senior services;

- $1,100.0 to provide increased volunteer positions;

- $379.8 for increased information and assistance, consultation, education, and respite care;

- $21.8 for statewide Senior Citizens Olympics activities;

- $163.4 for statewide long-term care ombudsman services;

- $185.0 for increased health insurance and public benefits counseling;

- $273.3 to provide increased employment opportunities for older, low-income individuals;

- $40.4 for increased legal assistance for older individuals;

- $150.0 to increase mental health peer counseling efforts; and

- $100.0 to increase respite care services for care givers.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The general fund would appropriate $8,709.0 in FY2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY2000 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The agency indicates that the majority of the increased services could be absorbed within their existing capacity. However, increased employment positions would require an additional FTE to administer the programs. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would require two additional FTE to be located in Roswell, Farmington, and Silver City. At least one position would be hired directly from the Agency.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Senate Bill 298 relates to House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2; however, the requested funds are not contained in these bills. A companion bill, House Bill 358, was introduced in the House.



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