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.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Dept. (EMNRD)

State Department of Education (SDE)

State Land Office (SLO)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SB 646 legislatively transfers the administration of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission (NMYCC) from EMNRD to SLO. The bill also changes NMYCC membership in replacing the secretary of EMNRD with the director of the State Park Division.

Significant Issues

According to EMNRD, the mission of NMYCC is to employ youth around the state in conservation activities. The agency believes that while SLO has a conservation element related to its mission, the projects carried out by the corps members are more closely related to EMNRD's mission of natural resource protection. Also, EMNRD views SB 646 as further fragmenting the administration of natural resource protection entities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

According to SLO, NMYCC is funded with 10 percent of the governmental gross receipts tax. In FY 1999, these revenues generated $1,600.0 for NMYCC projects and are estimated to generate approximately $2,400.0 in FY 2000 for NMYCC.

EMNRD claims the bill would reduce the agency's budget by $2,650.0 in FY2000.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SLO believes SB 646 will have minimal impact due to the staff already functioning and attached the Commission. The agency would provide legal advice and administrative direction through its internal Administrative Services Division.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

According to EMNRD, SB 646 relates to SJM 41 which calls for a study of the possible consolidation of natural resource programs.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

NMYCC will remain administratively attached to the EMNRD.

RWP/gm