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.





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





SPONSOR: Smith DATE TYPED: 2/20/99 HB
SHORT TITLE: Cotton Boll Weevil Control Committees SB 631
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
NFI NFI NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)



Duplicates HB103



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill amends the current Cotton Boll Weevil Control Act to provide for: (1) termination of a control district only after the determination that all financial and legal obligations have been satisfied; (2) specification ability to borrow money, accept grants, donations or contributions; and (3) exemption of cotton boll weevil control committees from the provisions of the Procurement Code and the Personnel Act. Control Committees shall be considered public employees for the purposes of the Tort Claims Act.



Significant Issues



According to the NMDA, after the formation of the first control district, deficiencies were detected in the language of the current statute. The proposed amendments fill the voids in the act to allow for the proper operation of the cotton boll weevil control districts, a majority of which were pointed out by federal agencies (USDA- Farm Services Agency) as being necessary to obtain low interest loans.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



This bill has no fiscal impact.





CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill duplicates House Bill 103.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



According to the NMDA, Cotton Boll Weevil Control Districts may be unable to obtain low interest federal loans (USDA - Farm Services Agency) necessary to become operational until self assessments cover the cost of programs if this bill does not pass. Without attainment of seed money, control districts may be deemed non functional.



APP/njw