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.



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





SPONSOR: Pearce DATE TYPED: 02/04/00 HB 202/aHENRC
SHORT TITLE: Watershed Enhancement Programs SB
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 150.0 Rec GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to HB89, HB145, SB120



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Amendment



This amendment modifies the appropriation such that all 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and not exclusively the Santa Fe district, may have use of the funding.



This amendment also adds the following language: The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $150.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the New Mexico State University for allocation to the Soil and Water Conservation District for the purpose of conducting a pilot project to improve the Santa Fe watershed, including vegetation management to enhance water conservation and improve water quality. The Santa Fe district shall cooperate with other federal, state and local agencies.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $150.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill relates to House Bills 145 and 89 and Senate Bill 120, all pertaining to water quality issues.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The CHE recommends that the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."



APP/sb