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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Cisneros
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2-19-07
HB
SHORT TITLE Wildlife Education Programs and Rehabilitation
SB 848
ANALYST Woods
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY07
FY08
none
$200.0
Recurring
General
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates HB943
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Game and Fish (DGF)
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 848 seeks to appropriate $200,000 from the general fund to the Department of Game
and Fish for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 for wildlife education programs and wildlife
rehabilitation. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year
2008 shall revert to the general fund.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
DGF indicates that the appropriation of $200,000.00 for wildlife education and wildlife
rehabilitation would be used to expand upon activities and programs currently conducted by the
Department of Game and Fish. Further, that although the bill does not specify which programs
or rehabilitators should receive funding, DGF could use a portion of the funding as match for
certain Federal funds. This money will be used to provide goods and/or services during the
fiscal year, not to fund personnel.
pg_0002
Senate Bill 848 – Page
2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
EMNRD indicates that the funding proposed in SB 848 would support programming provided by
DGF to provide wildlife education and rehabilitation throughout the state. DGF currently
coordinates a statewide Aquatic Education program, providing many successful fishing and
aquatic education clinics to participants of all ages. State Parks Division is in partnership with
DGF in these endeavors at state parks.
EMNRD adds that the funding proposed in SB 848 could help DGF expand existing and new
wildlife education program offerings, which would be of benefit to both New Mexicans and to
wildlife resources. Wildlife rehabilitation is also an important service offered by DGF and this
funding could provide for stewardship of many resources throughout the state. DGF also offers
Project Wild and hunter education courses that could be augmented through SB 848, enhancing
hunter safety and resource stewardship.
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
Duplicates HB943
TECHNICAL ISSUES
DGF notes that the Department of Game and Fish does not engage in wildlife rehabilitation as it
lacks the physical facilities and the technical and professional expertise necessary to conduct this
specialized activity. This appropriation would be used to continue at an expanded pace funding
of existing rehabilitation facilities. Such specialized facilities include the Wildlife Center in
Espanola and Wildlife Rescue, Inc., in Albuquerque.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
DGF suggests that wildlife education and rehabilitation efforts would continue, but at a slower
pace than if this money is made available. Fewer injured birds will be recovered and released to
the wild.
BFW/mt