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: Stell DATE TYPED: 02/23/01 HB 539/HAGC
SHORT TITLE: New-Mexico Agricultural Products SB
ANALYST: Carrillo


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02

See Narrative



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



General Services Department

Office of the Attorney General



No Response

Apple Commission

New Mexico Livestock Board

New Mexico Organic Commodities Commission

Corrections Department

State Department of Education

Commission on Higher Education

Municipal League

Association of Counties



SUMMARY



     Synopsis of the HAGC Amendment



The HAGC amendment to House Bill 539 inserts "for new Mexico schools". This amendment will exempt purchases of agricultural products grown in New Mexico from the Procurement Code if they are purchased for New Mexico schools.



The original FIR remains unchanged.



Synopsis of Original Bill



House Bill 539 proposes to exempt purchases of agricultural products grown in New Mexico from the Procurement Code.

Significant Issues



According to GSD staff, the bill will allow more flexibility for governmental entities to purchase home-grown agricultural products. For example: schools could purchase locally grown produce without soliciting bids. Several states exempt home-grown agricultural products from competitive bids. This may benefit rural areas more than cities.



The AG's staff notes:



The bill would substantially burden interstate commerce in that state agencies wishing to buy agricultural produce from out of state growers would have to follow the provisions of the Procurement Code. The Procurement Code is a more cumbersome means of procurement in that it requires a specific bidding procedure to be followed. In-state growers, would not have to competitively bid their products against out-of-state growers. It is unclear what did process would be needed when two or more in-state growers are competing against one another. State regulations that impact interstate commerce have generally been upheld under the Interstate Commerce clause of the Federal constitution only where the state is seeking to protect public safety or health and welfare. Courts will analyze whether the burden on interstate commerce is no greater than the legitimate benefit the state derives from the regulation. Increased commerce has never been considered a legitimate benefit.



The proposed provisions of the bill may adversely impact interstate commerce in violation of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution.



RELATIONSHIP



HB 66, Amend Electronic Authentication of Documents

HB 88, Amend Procurement Code

HB 89, Resident Contractor Defined

HB 230, Performance Contracting

HB 232, Uniform Electronic Transactions

HB 608, Amend Electronic Authentication of Documents

HB 648, Procurement Appeals Board

SB 69, Contract Management & Accountability

SB 166, Performance Contracting Act

SB 269, Procurement Appeals Board

SB 301, Amend Procurement Code

SB 394, Promote NM Apples



WJC/njw:ar