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

SPONSOR:	Nunez		DATE TYPED:	01/22/02		HB	45
SHORT TITLE:		NMSU Water Management Research				SB
					ANALYST:		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$ 600.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB 27

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

New Mexico Department Of Agriculture (NMDA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 45 appropriates $600.0 to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University (NMSU) for the conduct of water management research. The appropriation is to be distributed as follows: $150.0 to the Agricultural Experiment Station; $150.0 to the Cooperative Extension Service, and $300.0 to the New Mexico Water Resources Institute.

Significant Issues

The appropriation is to enhance current funding for the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Water Resources Institute. Activities conducted through this appropriation will enhance efforts to educate the public on water relationship issues.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

NMDA reports that “initial performance measures would include the increase in knowledge of the public of relevant water issues, an outcome that can be easily measured.” Other measures will be developed to assess the improvement of drinking water, use and efficiency of water, and waste management practices, according to the NMDA.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $600.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2003 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Department of Agriculture will administer programs funded by this appropriation.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program\project:

This request for funding was presented to and approved by the Board of Regents of NMSU. It is also recommended for funding by the Commission of Higher Education.

DUPLICATION

House Bill 45 is identical to Senate Bill 27.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Are any general fund appropriations currently going to any one or all of these units?

2. Is this appropriation intended to expand activities currently funded by the legislature?

3. If so, are water education activities included in activities currently funded?

4. What sources are currently used to fund water education and conservation activities?

LB/njw:ar