Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance 2222committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us). Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also 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	Taylor, J.G.		DATE TYPED	2/4/04		HB	357
SHORT TITLE		Bernalillo Wastewater Demonstration Facility				SB
					ANALYST		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$118.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 357 appropriates $118 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of NMSU to plan, design, and provide legal and architectural services for an on-site wastewater demonstration and training center and environmental education facility in Bernalillo County.

Significant Issues

This program expansion request was not submitted to CHE by the NMSU Board of Regents. Consequently, the Commission did not review it.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $118 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 05 shall revert to the general fund.

The CHE recommended a FY 05 appropriation of $463.5 (1.7% increase) to NMSU to fund water resources research.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

It is reported that:

• more that ¼ of all New Mexico House holds use on-site wastewater systems (septic and advance treatment systems) which contribute to ground water contamination,
• the lack of trained workforce in wastewater system inspection, maintenance and repair results in poor performance and puts our groundwater resources and the public at risk, and
• there is a growing need for certified wastewater operators, normally high wage jobs paying between $13 --$25 per hour.

AMENDMENTS

The following language is suggested for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond FY05):

“The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2007 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program over a three period.”

AW/dm:lg