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	Coll		DATE TYPED	2/16/04		HB	HJM 101
SHORT TITLE		Unhealthy Food Task Force				SB
					ANALYST		Wilson

APPROPRIATION

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

Relates to HB 303 & SB 273

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 101 requests the Governor to appoint a task force to study food quality, food additives, harmful processes applied to food and methods to curb the consumption of unhealthy food. The task force should be comprised of representatives for the Department of Health, the Environment Department, the Public Education Department, the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center, the Department of Agriculture, the Organic Commodity Commission, the Livestock Commission, the Attorney General’s Office and the chair of the Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Board as well as other representatives such as internists, family practitioners, pediatricians, cardiologists, toxicologists, ranchers, farmers, biochemists and nutritionists.

The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature by January 1, 2005.

Significant Issues

The improvement of the quality of food grown in, produced in, imported into or exported from New Mexico is necessary to improve nutrition for New Mexicans.

Limiting or labeling additives to food that are carcinogenic, neurotoxic or otherwise deleterious will improve the quality of food available to New Mexicans.

It is necessary to investigate and identify processes that, when applied to foods, are harmful to human health.

The need to study the medical and biochemical issues pertaining to nutrition has ongoing vital relevancy for all New Mexicans.

It is necessary to curb the consumption of unhealthy food to promote good nutrition among New Mexicans.

New Mexicans are in need of information about food quality, food additives and potentially harmful processes to make good nutritional choices;

RELATIONSHIP

HJM 101 relates to HB 303 & SB 273, the Nutrition Act creating a Deputy Secretary within the Environment Department.

DW/yr:dm