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.



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





SPONSOR: Taylor DATE TYPED: 02/05/00 HB 310
SHORT TITLE: Protect Chile Industry SB
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 200.0 Rec GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates SB399



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico State University College of Agriculture & Home Economics (NMSU)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the New Mexico State University to enhance research and development by the Agricultural Experiment Station of mechanical chile harvesting technologies to protect the chile industry.



Significant Issues



According to NMSU, the fresh market chile imports through the state's two ports of entry with Mexico have increased from 66 metric tons in 1989 to 42,957 in 1988. In order to regain some of the fresh market, mechanical harvesting and chile varieties must be developed; crop management practices must be adjusted and a comprehensive economic analysis of production inputs is needed.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill duplicates Senate Bill 399.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The CHE recommends that the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "A plan for a program evaluation, including specific program goals and criteria for assessing program effectiveness shall be submitted to the LFC and the CHE by October 1, 2000. An assessment of the program will be completed prior to June 30, 2001 and submitted to the LFC and the CHE."



APP/sb