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.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to HB672, HB673, HB822, SB265, SB740 and SB771

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 909 allows the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) to issue a special registration plate to any person employed as a New Mexico firefighters upon satisfactory proof that he is currently employed as a New Mexico firefighter, including submission of a signed consent form from the fire chief. This bill also allows TRD to issue a special registration plate to any person who is a New Mexico emergency medical technician or emergency personnel or a New Mexico member of the fraternal order of police. Additionally, this bill allows TRD to collect a $25.00 fee for the original issuance of the special registration plates in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee and provides provisions for the distribution of the fee. This bill also allows the TRD Secretary to approve the final plate design for this purpose.

Significant Issues

This bill also makes a person who misrepresents himself as a New Mexico emergency medical technician or other emergency personnel or a New Mexico member of the fraternal order of police guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

A one-time $25.00 fee would be charged for the issuance of these special registration plates of which $10.00 is to be retained by the department with the remaining amount distributed along with other types of motor vehicle fees (See Section 66-6-23 and 66-6-23.1 NMSA 2978.)

Continuing Appropriations

This bill provides for continuing appropriations. The LFC objects to including continuing appropriation language in the statutory provisions. Earmarking reduces the ability of the legislature to establish spending priorities.

The Taxation and Revenue Department reports the following fiscal implications:

The timing of revenue under this special plate scheme is unpredictable, but presumably about 3,000 to 4,000 special plates would be requested in the first few years ($30 to $40 thousand for the State Road Fund and $15 to $20 thousand for local governments). Spread over time, the revenue gains from issuing new plates with an associated one-time fee would not result in any noticeable fiscal impact on the State Road Fund or local governments.

The Emergency Medical Services Section of the Health Department reports 5,269 currently licensed EMTs in New Mexico. The Fraternal Order of Police report membership of about 2,300 to 2,500 and estimate that 40% to 50% of members would be interested in obtaining the special plate (about 1,000 plates). The department has no information on the number of "other emergency personnel" in the state.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Taxation and Revenue Department indicates it would need an additional FTE to accommodate the provisions of this bill as "the single clerk currently charged with handling special vehicle registration plates is unable to take-on additional tasks or responsibilities".

RELATIONSHIP

The following other bills have been introduced that allow for special vehicle or motorcycle plates for the following purposes:

HB672: disabled

HB673: veterans

HB822: national guard

SB265: fraternal lodges

SB740: retired national guard

SB771: retired firefighters

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Is the bill intended to have TRD create one design plate or one for each profession: New Mexico firefighter, New Mexico emergency medical technician, other emergency personnel or a New Mexico member of the fraternal order of police?

JMG/njw