Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the Legislature. LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they
are used for other purposes.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Herrera/Ortez/Romero, A./Lujan/Sanchez
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/11/2025
SHORT TITLE Española Lowrider Museum
BILL
NUMBER House Bill 239
ANALYST Rodriguez
APPROPRIATION*
(dollars in thousands)
FY25 FY26
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
$100.0 Nonrecurring General Fund
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Agency Analysis was Solicited but Not Received From
Higher Education Department (HED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Bill 239
House Bill 239 (HB239) appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to the Department of
Cultural Affairs (DCA) to work with the Higher Education Department (HED) to conduct a
feasibility study for establishing a lowrider museum in Española, New Mexico.
This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
Legislature adjourns if enacted, or June 20, 2025.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $100 thousand contained in this bill is a nonrecurring expense to the
general fund for expenditure in FY26 and FY27. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance
remaining at the end of FY27 shall revert to the general fund.
House Bill 239 – Page 2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
A museum feasibility study typically explores the relevance of, interest in, and potential visitors
to a prospective museum based on the proposed area. DCA would most likely need to hire a
contractor to conduct the feasibility study required in this bill.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
DCA writes that upon enactment of HB239, the agency would follow applicable procurement
policies to hire a qualified contractor specializing in the museum field with relevant experience
to conduct a study.
HB239 does not specify the scope or deadline for the agencies to complete the feasibility study.
JR/sgs/SR