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	Garcia, M.J.		DATE TYPED	01-26-04		HB
SHORT TITLE		NMSU Viticulturist				SB	72
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$150.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Duplicates HB 52.

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education (CHE) Funding Recommendations for FY05

Responses Received From

CHE

NMSU, College of Agriculture and Home Economics

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 72 appropriates $150 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of NMSU for a position and program in viticulture to support the need of New Mexico grape growers and wine producers for practical information and recommendations for growing and managing their businesses.

Significant Issues

This proposal responds to the needs associated with the growing wine industry in New Mexico. NMSU reports that the program would be highly integrated with many entities including, NMSU academic programs, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Small Business Development Centers, county governments, tribal governments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, agricultural producer associations, agribusinesses, and state and federal agencies.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $150 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY05 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION

In the “CONFLICT” section, NMSU reports that the Cooperative Extension Service maintains access to a wide variety of expertise within both extension and the research faculty working in the Agricultural Experiment Station. Therefore, funding for this initiative would serve as a productive companion considering the existing expertise in agronomic science, agricultural economics, and other disciplines within the College of Agriculture & Home Economics.

HB 52 duplicates SB 72.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This program expansion request was not submitted by the NMSU Board of Regents to the CHE. Consequently, the Commission did not recommend funding for this proposal.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Was this request submitted to the NMSU Board of Regents for their consideration?

2. Why or Why not?

3. Is the information needed by grape growers and wine producers available now from NMSU?

RLG/njw