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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB 70 Conflicts with HB 2

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

State Highway and Transportation Dept. (SHTD)

New Mexico Veterans' Service Commission (NMVSC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFl#1 Amendment

The Senate Floor amendment strikes language which limited the number of special registration plates obtainable by eligible persons.

Synopsis of SCONC Amendment

The Senate Conservation Committee amendment substitutes the amount of park passes issued to disabled veterans from up to three free passes to one day use pass for entry into the parks.

Synopsis of Bill

SB 190 allows 100 percent disabled veterans to obtain up to two special vehicle registration plates and up to three free passes for entry and use of state parks.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

In its analysis of the bill, the EMNRD states that there are currently five thousand 100 percent disabled veteran's plates issued in New Mexico. If all five thousand veterans requested the three free park passes, the fiscal impact on state park self-generated revenues would exceed $1,000.0.

According to the EMNRD, park camping passes are already heavily discounted for disabled residents. Hence, SB 190 would authorize giving away up to fifteen thousand passes to disabled veterans, and the agency believes this could lead to a budget shortfall for its State Park Division if general fund appropriations are not factored in.

Also, EMNRD expressed concerns about paying customers being turned away during periods of heavy visitation when full capacity is experienced. The agency maintains that such a scenario would exacerbate the fiscal impact of the free passes.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The EMNRD states that the administrative impact of SB 190 is difficult to quantify. The agency reported that some park overcrowding could result from the issuance of fifteen thousand free annual camping passes which typically results in law enforcement problems.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

According the NMVSC, SB 190 is a duplicate of HB 70. The EMNRD believes the bill conflicts with HB 2 as the fiscal impacts of SB 190 may result in a shortfall of self-generated revenue from park fee collections.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The three agencies which reviewed SB 190 reported a contradiction in Section 1. Apparently, Paragraph A contains language where veterans can be issued registration plates for up to two vehicles. However, Paragraph C states a person eligible for a special registration plate shall be eligible for one such plate. The NMVSC recommended that Paragraph C be amended to include two plates instead of one, while the NMSHTD suggested striking out the present language. Similarly, the last sentence of Paragraph A may need some revision regarding the issuance of special plates.

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