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





SPONSOR: Smith DATE TYPED: 01/24/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Economic Sustainability of the Chile Industry SB 11
ANALYST: Gilbert


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 241.7 Recurring GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HB140



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

New Mexico State University (NMSU)



No Response

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 11 appropriates $241.7 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University to help increase the profitable yield of New Mexico chile producers and to support the ongoing economic viability of the New Mexico chile industry by employing additional expertise in agronomic science, agricultural engineering, and agriculture marketing.



Significant Issues



According to NMSU, fresh chile imports through the state's two ports of entry with Mexico have increased from 66 metric tons in 1989 to 42,957 metric tons in 1998. In order to regain some of the fresh chile market lost to Mexico, mechanical harvesting and chile new 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 $241.7 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The NMSU Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service currently maintain expertise in agronomic science, agricultural engineering, and agriculture marketing. This appropriation would enhance current capabilities.



DUPLICATION



This is a duplicate bill to HB140.



LG/njw