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

SPONSOR:	Picraux		DATE TYPED:	02/24/03		HB	HJM 46
SHORT TITLE:		Interim Science & Technology Committee				SB
					ANALYST:		Padilla

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Economic Development Department

State Department of Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 46 asks the Legislative Council to create an interim committee to focus specifically on issues related to science and technology in New Mexico, including technology transfer and technology commercialization by the state’s research universities and national labs; issues related to science and mathematics education; and workforce issues. The memorial requests the interim committee to develop legislative input for a state science and technology plan being developed for New Mexico.

Significant Issues

In 2001, the National Science Foundation made New Mexico part of its Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCOR). The New Mexico EPSCOR Committee includes representatives from New Mexico’s colleges and universities, industry, the national laboratories, state government and the state legislature. In 2002, via an executive order, the committee was charged with developing a statewide, organized effort for advancing science and technology called the New Mexico State Science Plan.

SDE notes that the plan will focus on the following goals:

· Increasing opportunities for science and technology research that are most appropriate for New Mexico and that take advantage of the state’s strengths,

· Seeking new funding opportunities for federal agencies,

· Developing policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality, standards-based science and math education, and

· Developing policies that lead to the transfer of science and technology to private industry and contribute to economic development.

The EPSCOR committee plans to develop the State Science Plan over the next six months and wants to include legislative input.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Legislative Council Service would be required to provide staff support to the interim committee.

LP/njw