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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Komadina
DATE TYPED 01/24/05 HB
SHORT TITLE Hot Air Balloons as Official State Aircraft
SB 13
ANALYST Emilee Ford
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
NFI
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Office of Cultural Affairs
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 13 designates the hot air balloon as the official state aircraft.
Significant Issues
New Mexico’s symbols include the official flower, bird, tree, fish, animal, vegetables, gem,
grass, fossil, cookie, insect, question, nickname, butterfly, reptile, and amphibian.
According to the Office of Cultural Affairs, there are several rationales for naming an official
state aircraft, such as benefiting tourism through publicity efforts, possible educational opportu-
nities, and generally enhancing the awareness of the importance of hot air balloons within New
Mexico’s history, current popular culture and tourism industry. In addition, the hot air balloon
has not been designated as the official aircraft of any other state.