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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 01/28/05 HB 193

SHORT TITLE Create Water Resources Research Institute

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Finance Authority

New Mexico State University, Water Resources Research Institute

No Response From

Commission on Higher Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 193 – Relating to Higher Education, Creating the Water Resources Research Institute –

establishes a Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) division at New Mexico State University

(NMSU). Participating with the WRRI will be the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute

of Mining and Technology, New Mexico Highlands University, Eastern New Mexico University and

Western New Mexico University.

The NMSU board of regents shall prepare reports showing the progress and condition of the WRRI, and

through the NMSU board of regents the WRRI may receive legislative appropriations and other public

and private items of value.

There is no appropriation attached to this bill.

House Bill 193 -- Page 2

Significant Issues

The WRRI was originally authorized by the 1964 Water Resources Act and was one of the first institutes

approved in the US. The overall mission of the WRRI is to develop and disseminate knowledge that will

assist the state and nation in solving water problems. Through the funding of research and demonstration

projects, the institute utilizes the knowledge and experience of researchers throughout the state to solve

New Mexico's pressing water problems. Research is conducted by faculty and students within the depart-

mental structure of each New Mexico university campus. In-house staff administers the institute’s pro-

grams, conducts special research projects, and produces a variety of issue reports.

This bill formally establishes the WRRI as a NMSU division and, as WRRI indicates, statutory authority

will stabilize and expand the research program in terms of technical research product, student training,

and information for water management with additional data.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

While there is no appropriation attached to this particular bill, the Commission on Higher Educa-

tion (CHE) 2005-2006 Higher Education Funding Recommendation reflects the following his-

tory for this WRRI program:

•

2003-04 (Recurring Appropriation) - $455.9

•

2004-05 (Recurring Appropriation) - $438.0

For FY06 CHE recommends $590.8, a 34.9 percent increase over FY05.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

WRRI notes that no new FTEs will be required.

BFW/lg