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

SPONSOR:	Cisneros		DATE TYPED:	02/04/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Salt Cedar & Phreatophyte Management				SB	228
					ANALYST:		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$300.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act and to HB 21, HHB 104, HB 245

Identical to HB 50

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Agriculture (NMDA)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

Energy, Minerals & Natural resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 288 appropriates $300.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents at New Mexico State University for expenditure in FY2003 to support soil and water conservation efforts to manage salt cedar and other phreatophytes to restore native vegetation and enhance water supplies.

Significant Issues

The EMNRD and the NMDA analysis state the importance of restoring native vegetation to enhance water supplies. Stands of non-native salt cedar trees are vulnerable to wildfire and are actually invigorated when burned. Bosque fires often manage. Bosque fires often damage native riparian vegetation. Removing non-native vegetation should enhance the use of water supplies and reduce the risk of wildfires.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $300.0contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY2003 shall revert to the general fund.

The General Appropriation Act for FY2003 being considered by the Legislature includes $5,000.0 for the control and eradication of non-native vegetation in the Pecos Valley.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Senate Bill 228 duplicates House Bill 150 and relates to HB 21, HB 104, & HB 245 and HB 2m the General Appropriation Act for FY2003 that includes the appropriation for NMSU.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as commentary on the merits of the bill :

This program was not included in the budget request submitted by the NMSU Boar of Regents. Consequently, it was not reviewed nor recommended by the CHE.

LB/ar