[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.

Only the most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC’s office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR:	Tsosie		DATE TYPED:	02/11/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		NM Route 509 Improvements				SB	SJM 78
					ANALYST:		Valdes

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$0.1

Indeterminate

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)

LFC files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 78 requests the State Highway Commission prioritize in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) the project to improve New Mexico route 509 from Pueblo Pintado road to United States highway 550.

Significant Issues

New Mexico 509 extends from the junction with New Mexico 605 northward to White Horse. The roadway northward from White Horse, including the portion between Pueblo Pintado and United States highway 550, is not part of the New Mexico highway system and not under the jurisdiction of the SHTD. According to the department, this road is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Presently, the condition of New Mexico route 509, which serves the communities of Counselor, Cuba, Nageezi, Pueblo Pintado and Torreon is poor, having numerous potholes and is impassable in inclement weather. The road provides access to residents of these communities when traveling to Unites States highway 550. Improvements to this road are needed to provide better access for emergency services and school bus transportation for students of these communities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The department is experiencing budget constraints with state road fund revenue projections flat and large declines expected in federal revenues, based on the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2003 released by President Bush. Any funding proposed for new projects would require a diversion of an equivalent amount of funding from existing highway projects or new revenue sources would have to be identified.

If a state funding source is identified for this project, SHTD would have to negotiate an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to identify which agency would take the lead initiating the project and the terms for road maintenance once the project is complete.

MV/njw:ar