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	Cisneros		DATE TYPED	1/28/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		NM Tech Statewide Aquifer Mapping Project				SB	123
					ANALYST		Maloy

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$620.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates House Bill 77

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

Office of the State Engineer

No Response Received From

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 123 appropriates $620,000 from the general fund to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology for the purpose of statewide aquifer mapping. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

This is a necessary project, vital to New Mexico’s success in addressing the drought. For years, the Office of the State Engineer failed to achieve this mapping. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology has the expertise and equipment needed to move forward with this project.

The Office of the State Engineer states:

“The state’s ability to administer and manage its water resources is dependent upon the characterization of its aquifers and their interconnections with streams. Knowledge of the extents of zones of fresh and treatable saline ground water is vital to serving the growth of the state’s water demands. To ensure that the Bureau of Geology will direct activities to the state’s highest research priorities, a multi-agency committee should be formed to guide investigations. The bill does not specify the studies to be performed or the process to prioritize studies. The requested level of funding is inadequate to properly address the aquifer mapping needs within the state.”

“The bill does not specify the studies to be performed or describe who will set study priorities. Many local areas will claim that the source of their drinking water is of highest importance. Funds may be allocated to activities other than priority investigations. The State Water Plan states that the OSE/ISC will coordinate the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to identify, focus and prioritize studies. This avenue for setting study priorities should to be included within the bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 123 appropriates $620,000 from the general fund to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology for the purpose of statewide aquifer mapping. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

OTHER SUSTANTIVE ISSUES

The Office of the State Engineer’s proposal to create a multi-agency committee may create needless “red tape” for the Institute. This is a necessary project that has been long neglected and should be undertaken with expedience.

SJM/lg