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 for other purposes.

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 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:	Godbey		DATE TYPED:	02/11/03		HB	560
SHORT TITLE:		Bear-Proof Garbage Containers				SB
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

REVENUE

Estimated Revenue		Subsequent Years Impact	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF)

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 560 amends NMSA 1978, § 17-1-14, to enable the state game commission to identify areas of the state on public and private lands where bear-proof garbage containers would be required. The primary purpose of this bill is to reduce human-bear interactions.

Significant Issues

Several urban areas of the state experience a high incidence of human-bear encounters, leading to nuisance bear complaints and creating potential human safety hazards. Garbage is a major factor in attracting bears to urban areas. As a result, Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) employees must relocate or destroy nuisance bears.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

NMDGF may be required to address fewer nuisance bear problems if bear-proof garbage containers are mandated in certain areas of the state.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to NMDGF, no mechanism currently exists to mandate bear-proof garbage containers. However, NMDGF currently gives advice to citizens interested in voluntarily bear-proofing of their garbage containers.

HB 560 does not contain a penalty for non-compliance.

RLG/yr