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

SPONSOR:	Griego		DATE TYPED:	02/03/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		NMSU DNA Tests on Free-Roaming Horses				SB	189
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$ 100.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 189 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) for the purpose of conducting DNA testing on free-roaming horses in order to determine the lineage of the original Spanish horses.

Significant Issues

The New Mexico Horse Project (NMHP), a non-profit organization, has verified through DNA testing those wild horses in Valencia and Torrance counties are direct descendants of the original horses brought to the region by Spanish settlers over four hundred years ago. The NMHP now wishes to locate areas in the State to preserve the breed and to conduct further DNA testing. The University of Kentucky has categorized these horses as the “New Mexican Breed of Horse” due to their unique genetic make-up. This appropriation in this bill will allow this project to continue.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2003 shall revert to the general fund.

RLG/ar