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.



Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.





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





SPONSOR: Nunez DATE TYPED: 01/31/01 HB 407
SHORT TITLE: NMSU Viticulturist SB
ANALYST: Gilbert


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 100.0 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates Senate Bill 178



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

New Mexico Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

CHE Fund Appropriation Matrix FY02



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 407 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University for a viticulturist in the of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics.



Significant Issues



This bill adds a viticulturist FTE to the cooperative extension service which will provide technical services to New Mexico's vineyards and wine industry.



All New Mexico higher educational institutions were asked to provide the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) with an overall priority listing of all new and expansion research and public service project requests. According to the CHE, NMSU provided a categorical priority list to the CHE, but did not include a request for a viticulturist. NMSU also did not receive formal approval from their governing board for this funding.



The CHE did not recommend funding a viticulturist for NMSU.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The $100.0 appropriation contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.



AMENDMENTS



The CHE suggests the following language for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2001-2002):



"The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2, 2004 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



LG/ar