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





SPONSOR: Tripp DATE TYPED: 02/02/01 HB 351
SHORT TITLE: Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources SB
ANALYST: Valenzuela


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
NFI NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

Department of Game and Fish

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

Office of the State Engineer

New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 351 amends numerous statutes to reflect a name change from the New Mexico "Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources" to the "Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources." Minor language cleanup is also accomplished with this bill. House Bill 351 expand the agency's mission and responsibilities to include investigation of groundwater resources and geological hazards. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to assist the Office of the State Engineer to refine the understanding of the stratigraphy, structure and aquifer characteristics of geological formations in ground water basins.



Significant Issues



House Bill 351 formalizes the shift in research focus of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources from mining primarily to additional geology related sciences such as hydrology. In essence, the bill creates a state agency similar in focus and scope as the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency is a division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, located in Socorro, New Mexico.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



House Bill 351 does not contain an appropriation. Enactment would not have an impact on the agency.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



Enactment of House Bill 351 would have a minor impact on the agency in terms updating its office and promotional literature.



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