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	Griego		DATE TYPED	01/27/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Dead Tree Removal				SB	116
					ANALYST		Aguilar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$500.0			Non-Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 116 appropriates $500 thousand from the general fund to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for the purpose of conducting a pilot program with New Mexico Highlands University for removing dead trees that pose a forest fire hazard to Los Alamos, Mora, San Miguel and Santa Fe counties.

Wood material would be removed from areas where a forest fire would pose a direct threat to cities, state recreation areas, campgrounds and highways. Wood removed as a result of this effort would be made available to area residents for heating.

Significant Issues

The State Forestry Division notes the importance of removing dead trees that represent a specific threat in and near communities in the specified counties. This approach is in alignment with the division’s programs that emphasize taking action in the highest risk areas.

The State Forestry Division also notes the limitation in the bill to thin and remove only dead trees. The division would ask that the use of these funds be allowed for the removal any vegetation, dead, down or alive, if necessary to meet fire management considerations.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500 thousand contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

RELATIONSHIP

This bill relates to Senate Joint Memorial 4.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

State Forestry Division reports that it may be possible for New Mexico Highlands University to develop an innovative value-added approach for use of the removed wood for heating homes of area residents. The division is evaluating a number of commercial heating systems that could be designed for heating buildings using the residue from these projects.

PA/prr:dm