SENATE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 262

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PROGRAM COORDINATORS TO OVERSEE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS AND TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN WEB PORTALS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO TRACK AND EVALUATE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATIONS.--

          A. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the following agencies for expenditure in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to employ program coordinators to oversee citizen science projects in which members of the public volunteer to assist in conducting scientific research and collecting data on wildlife and to collaborate with the other state agencies enumerated in this subsection:

                (1) the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($275,000); and

                (2) the department of environment, two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($275,000).

          B. Four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for expenditure in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for the natural heritage New Mexico program within the museum of southwestern biology and the department of biology of the university of New Mexico to provide for program expenses and employ staff to support citizen science project coordinators, create and maintain web portals and create information systems to track and evaluate citizen science projects.

          C. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 from the appropriations pursuant to this section shall revert to the general fund.

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