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.
Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.
| SPONSOR: | Lyons | DATE TYPED: | 01/29/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Soil &Water Research & Conservation Cost Sharing | SB | 91 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Gilbert | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| $ 500.0 | Recurring | GF | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Relates to House Bill 201, House Bill 116, and Senate Bill 79
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Commission for Higher Education (CHE)
CHE Files - Special Funding Requests Submitted by NMSU
New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 91 appropriates $500.0 to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to provide cost-sharing for soil and water conservation district water conservation projects.
Significant Issues
According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), soil and water conservation districts in New Mexico are poised to implement a number of important water conservation projects. More than $2.5 million worth of projects have been outlined by soil and water conservation districts throughout the state. Some of these projects have partial funding from federal or private sources, but must obtain matching funds. Most federal grants require non-federal matching funds of at least 40% and funding from this appropriation would be used for that purpose.
Institutions were asked to provide to the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) with an overall priority listing of new and expansion research and public service project requests. The NMSU Board of Regents ranked this request as their fourth priority in their partner programs category. The CHE, however, did not recommend expansion funding for this program.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $500.0 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.
CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP
Senate Bill 91 relates to Senate Bill 79, Senate Bill 91, and House Bill 116. These bills all appropriate funds to soil and water conservation districts and are administered/distributed by NMSU and the NMDA.
AMENDMENTS
The CHE suggests the following language for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2001-2002):
"The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2, 2004 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having this program implemented for a three-year period."
LG/prr:ar