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Duplicates SB 201

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Department of Tourism

NM State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HB 338 amends Article 16-Litter Control and Beautification (NMSA 67-16-1 to 67-16-14) to change department authority over the New Mexico Clean & Beautiful program from the SHTD to the Department of Tourism.

Significant Issues

The New Mexico Clean & Beautiful program spends much of its resources on educational advertising campaigns designed to suppress littering. Likewise, the Department of Tourism is engaged in separate advertising campaigns that promote an anti-littering theme. This bill would allow these two entities to coordinate their similar efforts into one message. According to the Department of Tourism, this coordination will utilize tax dollars more efficiently, and effectively.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Since HB338 would move a current program into another agency, there will be long-term administrative effects on the Department of Tourism. The New Mexico Clean & Beautiful program supports two FTE's. The Department of Tourism suggests that program personnel and operating costs would increase their current operation by less than $ 2.0 dollars per year. If enacted, the department can absorb the short-term implementation of the program, but may seek long-term funding.

RJM/ar/njw