Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees 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	Stell		DATE TYPED	1/27/2004		HJM	2
SHORT TITLE		Adopt Water Efficient Appliance Provisions				SB
					ANALYST		Aguilar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	NFI		Indeterminate

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Regulation and Licensing Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 2 requests the Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD adopt provisions in the building and plumbing codes to provide for the most efficient water-using appliances.

Significant Issues

RLD notes that appliances as referenced in the memorial include such items as washing machines, dishwashers and evaporative coolers. CID retains jurisdiction over “fixtures” and “valves” which include such items as toilets and showers and the water regulating mechanisms for those fixtures.

The department also indicates that the adoption of rules regulating water-using fixtures will require research and analysis before the new rules can be drafted, reviewed through the public hearing process, and adopted.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The department may expend some additional time on plan review and inspections; however this impact is not expected to be significant after initial training.

The department notes that additional staff time will be required to research, develop and draft new codes, conduct public hearings and educate the public regarding new code adoption.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

HB-61, HB-197 and SB-122, would mandate specific water conservation technologies by amending the Construction Industries Licensing Act. This memorial could be the umbrella legislation for the intended objectives in those bills, and would give CID the opportunity to develop a uniform, broad-based set of construction regulations covering a full-range of water conservation construction standards.

Potentially, the legislation could be expanded to cover construction codes affecting water conservation in general including such subject matter as is addressed in HB-61 (immediate hot water); and HB-197 and SB-122 (roof water harvesting).

TECHNICAL ISSUES

It may be necessary to amend this legislation deleting reference to “appliances” which are not the under of the division and replace them with fixtures and valves.

PA/yr:dm