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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Nunez

DATE TYPED 2/2/05

HB 192

SHORT TITLE Water Resources Research Institute

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

200.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB113

Relates to HB193, SB117, SB100

Relates to the appropriation for New Mexico State University in the General Appropriations Act.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE)

New Mexico State University (NMSU), Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI)

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

New Mexico Finance Authority

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 192 – Making an Appropriation for the Water Resources Research Institute – appro-

priates $200,000 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University

for expenditure in FY06 for the Water Resources Research Institute to increase research in water

conservation, planning and management. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining

at the end of FY06 shall revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

WRRI suggests that the appropriation will expand the research program in terms of technical re-

search product, student training, and providing additional data for water management.

House Bill 192 -- Page 2

OSE notes that there has been substantial research conducted and currently being conducted by

the OSE in the field of water conservation and management, therefore it is important that the

WRRI’s research be appropriately targeted and closely coordinated with the OSE, Governor’s

Drought Task Force, and other agencies that are involved in the same fields, to avoid duplicative

efforts and activities.

CHE indicates this request was approved by NMSU Board of Regents in the amount of $200,000

and submitted to the CHE for review. CHE has recommended funding in the amount of

$140,000 for this project.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $200,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

WRRI notes that no new FTEs will be required.

NMSU would retain oversight of the program.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP OR RELATIONSHIP

HB192 is a duplicate of SB113.

HB193 and SB117 are related to HB192. These bills create the Water Resources Research Insti-

tute as a division of NMSU.

SB100 relates to HB192 in that SB100 appropriates $750,000 to the Board of Regent of New

Mexico State University to conduct water management research and education programs. The

appropriation is allocated to (1) the agricultural experiment station in the amount of $375,000

and (2) the cooperative extension service in the amount of $375,000.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The WRRI was originally authorized by the 1964 Water Resources Act and was one of the first

institutes approved in the US. The overall mission of the WRRI is to develop and disseminate

knowledge that will assist the state and nation in solving water problems. Through the funding of

research and demonstration projects, the institute utilizes the knowledge and experience of re-

searchers throughout the state to solve New Mexico's pressing water problems. Research is con-

ducted by faculty and students within the departmental structure of each New Mexico university

campus. In-house staff administers the institute’s programs, conducts special research projects,

and produces a variety of issue reports.

BFW/yr