[1] NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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:	Burpo		DATE TYPED:	01/26/02		HB	14/aHCPAC
SHORT TITLE:		Share With Wildlife Program				SB
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$ 150.0

Recurring

Game Protection Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

REVENUE

Estimated Revenue		Subsequent Years Impact	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY02	FY03
	$ 0.1 **See Narrative	$ 0.1 **See Narrative	Recurring	Game Protection Fund
	$ 0.1 *See Narrative	$ 0.1 *See Narrative	Recurring	State Road Fund
	$ 0.1 *See Narrative	$ 0.1 *See Narrative	Recurring	Local Governments

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received

Department of Game and Fish

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HCPAC Amendment

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee amendment to House Bill 14 strikes section 1 in its entirety. This section included language that would have statutorily created a “share with wild

life program” and would have required the Department of Game and Fish (DGF) Conservation Services Division to study, manage, enhance and conserve non-game species, including sensitive species and other species of concern.

The current share with wildlife program within the DGF Conservation Services Division would remain intact. The primary purpose of this program is to conduct studies to confirm the status of native wildlife populations, and monitor some wildlife that are currently on the state threatened and endangered species list.

Section 2 of the original bill, which implements special wildlife artwork registration plates and the associated revenue stream, also remains intact.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 14 codifies the existing “Share with Wildlife Program” into statute under the Conservation Services Division of the Department of Game and Fish. The purpose of the program is to study, manage, enhance and conserve non-game species, including sensitive species and other species of concern.

The bill permits the department to solicit and accept public or private funds, including gifts, grants, donations, bequests and other devises to fund the program. The bill also proposes a new vehicle registration special plate featuring the “Share with Wildlife” theme. The special plate would be available for an additional fee of $25 when issued and a renewal fee of $10 per year thereafter. $10 of the initial fee would be distributed to the state road fund and local governments under Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978. $15 of the initial fee and all renewal fees would be distributed to the Share with Wildlife Program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

** $15 of the initial fee and the $10 annual renewal fee for each special plate requested. The bill also allows the DGC to issue souvenir sample registration plates for a $10 fee and a lottery or auction could be held for the first 100 special plates, with that revenue being directed to the Share with Wildlife Program. Lottery or auction revenue would be in addition to the $25 fee for issuing the special plate.

* $10 of the initial fee under Section 66-6-23 NMSA 1978 for each special plate requested is shared between the state road fund and local governments.

For example, 10,000 special plates would generate $150.0 for the Share With Wildlife program, $66.5 for the State Road Fund and $33.5 for local governments with the initial issuing of the plates. The Share With Wildlife Program would receive $100.0 per year in subsequent years if 10,000 special plates were renewed annually.

The DGC estimates that the first year implementation costs for this program would range from $60.0 to $150.0, including labor costs for implementation of the program and for support to the share with wildlife license plate design committee. Some costs would also be involved with the purchase and/or acquisition of sample license plates.

The State Highway and Transportation Department has no estimate of the number of special plates that may be requested, but the fiscal impact on the state road fund and local governments is expected to be inconsequential.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to the DGC, this bill would invoke additional administrative requirements associated with selling, tracking, inventorying, etc., the special license plates. Since this bill does not contain provisions for additional FTEs, the DGF states it will need additional temporary FTEs or contract dollars in order to comply with the provisions of the bill.

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

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LG/prr:ar