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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Stell
DATE TYPED 2/25/05
HB HJM 68
SHORT TITLE Study Ground Water Basin Water Conservation
SB
ANALYST Aguilar
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
NFI
Indeterminate Non-Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)
New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Joint Memorial 68 requests that the interstate stream commission, in cooperation with the
governor, the state engineer and the secretary of finance and administration, conduct a study of
options to conserve and develop ground water resources in the Salt Basin and other ground water
basins.
HJM68 requests that the interstate stream commission report its findings and recommendations
for legislation to the legislature by December 1, 2005
Significant Issues
Ground water mining is occurring in the Salt basin on the Texas side of the border in southern
New Mexico near Dell City, Texas, and in the Ogallala Aquifer on the Texas side of the border
in eastern New Mexico. This has the potential to result in declines in ground water resources in
New Mexico aquifers.