NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended 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 in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $31.1 from the general fund to SDE to contract for a pediatric early literacy program in Bernalillo County.

Significant Issues

According to a recent report from the Education Commission of the States, research indicates the first three years of life are especially critical to laying the groundwork for future learning. Researchers have confirmed that the infant brain requires almost nonstop stimulation from birth to age 3, well before a child starts school.

According to SDE, a positive step toward solving the dropout problem in New Mexico would be to initiate systematic solutions at an early age.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 699 appropriates $31.1 from the general fund to SDE to contract for a pediatric early literacy program in Bernalillo County. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

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