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





SPONSOR: Smith DATE TYPED: 03/12/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Antelope Wells Commercial Border Crossing SB SM-35
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
See Narrative



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



New Mexico Border Authority (NMBA)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Memorial 35 requests the United States Custom Service to develop a commercial border crossing at Antelope Wells.



Significant Issues



Antelope Wells is one of three ports-of-entry found in New Mexico. The memorial indicates that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will lead to increased traffic along the U.S.-Mexico border, and that Antelope Wells is a noncommercial port that is geographically located that such commercial crossings could reduce traffic on other highways and provide for speedier delivery of goods (See Attached Map).



The NMBA reports the following U.S. Customs Service crossing statistics for the Antelope Wells border crossing:



Federal Fiscal Year 1998



Commercial Vehicles: 39

Private Vehicles: 2248

Pedestrians: 905



Federal Fiscal Year 1999



Commercial Vehicles: 37

Private Vehicles: 2052

Pedestrians: 1195



Federal Fiscal Year 2000



Commercial Vehicles: 14

Private Vehicles: 1515

Pedestrians: 807



Federal Fiscal Year 2001 (Through January 2001)



Commercial Vehicles: 0

Private Vehicles: 620

Pedestrians: 41



The goal would be to improve the facilities to allow for more commercial vehicle traffic, which is the least active type of crossing at Antelope Wells. The crossing would provide access to Interstate-10 via Highway 81 (See Attached Map). This route will lead to major commercial locations in the southern part of the Southwest Region, such as San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, etc.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



There is no appropriation or significant state fiscal implication associated with this bill. Depending on the what type of expansion may take place, there will be costs associated with the expansion. These costs will be absorbed by federal funds from the U.S. Customs Service if they choose to expand the port-of-entry.



MW/njw

Attachment