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

SPONSOR

Moore

DATE TYPED 02-11-05 HB 428

SHORT TITLE Clovis Agricultural Science Center Faculty

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$362.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

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

Relates to SB579, SC524

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico State University (NMSU), College of Agriculture and Home Economics (CAHE)

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 428 – Making an Appropriation to Fund Faculty Positions at the Clovis Agricultural

Science Center – appropriates $361,920 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New

Mexico State University for expenditure in FY06 to fund faculty positions in water management,

dairy production, soil sciences and general agronomy at the Agricultural Science Center at

Clovis. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to

the general fund.

Significant Issues:

NMSU-CAHE indicates that this bill provides for a conservation tillage specialist and an ento-

mologist, along with support staff and operating funds, to address unique challenges to the agri-

House Bill 428 -- Page 2

cultural industry in eastern New Mexico. Further, that agriculture is the economic mainstay of

eastern New Mexico and accounts for 60 percent of the state’s agricultural cash receipts.

NMSU-CAHE additionally observes that producers are confronted with a multitude of chal-

lenges, and additional work is needed to identify cropping and tillage systems that minimize the

potential for wind and water erosion, while maximizing crop yields from natural precipitation

and limited supplemental irrigation. Insect, disease and weed pests cause major production

losses and federal standards for pesticide use limit the availability of pest control options.

NMSU-CAHE suggests that developments in conservation tillage practices and pest control al-

ternatives are necessary to increase farm profitability and sustainability. Subsequent benefits will

be the production of an abundant supply of grain and forage crops that are essential to the long-

term success of the state’s dairy industry. As a secondary benefit, this initiative will create a

cadre of research and extension specialists in eastern New Mexico, who will be able to attract

external (grant) funds, which will further strengthen the research and information delivery pro-

gram.

CHE notes that this expansion request was not in the list of priority projects submitted by NMSU

to CHE for review. Accordingly, it was not included in the commission’s funding recommenda-

tion for FY06.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

NMSU-CAHE indicates that the appropriation will be allocated as follows:

•

Agricultural Experiment Station ($223,648); and

•

Cooperative Extension Service ($138,272).

The appropriation of $361,920 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund;

and any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the

general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

NMSU will retain oversight of this project.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP OR RELATIONSHIP

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

Relates to SB579 in that SB579 seeks to appropriate $362,000 from the general fund to the

Board of Regents of New Mexico State University for expenditure in FY06 to enhance services

and capability at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis.

Relates to SC524 in that SC524 seeks to appropriate $500,000 to purchase agricultural equip-

ment, including a storage barn, for the Agricultural Science Center of New Mexico State Univer-

sity in Clovis.

BFW/njw