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 Ezzell/Tobiassen/Townsend/Thornton/
Paul
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/11/2025
SHORT TITLE
Retirement of State Fla
g
BILL
NUMBER Senate Bill 63
ANALYST Chilton
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
NMAG
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
New Mexico Attorney General (NMAG)
Agency Analysis was Solicited but Not Received From
Secretary of State (SOS)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Senate Bill 63
Senate Bill 63 prescribes means by which a New Mexico state flag is to be disposed of when no
longer used or useful. Section A of the bill states that it may be destroyed, preferably by burning
in a dignified manner, such as a ceremony. Section B of the bill states that the state flag may be
retired in a public ceremony directed by military personnel, by a patriotic society, or in a private
ceremony.
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
This bill would have no fiscal impact.
Senate Bill 63 – Page 2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
This bill would enact a way of disposing of used or damaged New Mexico state flags in a way
that is similar to preferred means of destroyed damaged or no longer used United States flags.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
“Patriotic society” is not defined. NMAG notes other terms not defined in the bill, including
“dignified manner” and “at what point a flag would become ‘no longer useful as an emblem.’”
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