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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 2/14/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Study Boating Safety Education Programs

SB SJM 15/aSPAC

ANALYST Aguilar

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

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SPAC Amendment

The Senate Public Affairs Committee amendment to senate Joint Memorial 15 calls for the New

Mexico State Parks Division (SPD) to work in conjunction with stakeholders while conducting

the study called for in the memorial.

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 15 calls for a study by the New Mexico State Parks Division (SPD) of

ways to expand and improve boating education programs in New Mexico.

Significant Issues

State Parks Division (SPD) reports visitor safety, including boating safety, is a high priority due

to the potential for accidents, injuries, and death. In addition, federal funds that come to SPD

from the U.S. Coast Guard are tied to the effectiveness in delivering boating and boating safety

programs. Nineteen of the 32 state parks have lakes as their principal feature and SPD has pri-

mary authority for enforcing boating laws on New Mexico waters state-wide.

Senate Joint Memorial 15/aSPAC -- Page 2

In addition, SPD enforcement and recreational boating education programs with K-12 school

children and adults contribute to the low numbers of accidents and injuries. Where nationally

over one hundred children died in boating related accidents last year, New Mexico continues a

long-term trend of zero fatalities in that vulnerable age group. Many members of the public who

take the SPD adult New Mexico Boating Basics Course, however, consistently ask why the

course is not mandatory.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Boating safety—preventing accidents and injuries on New Mexico waters—is a performance

measure tracked by SPD

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The study called for in the SJM 15 would require staff time and some direct expense, a portion of

which would be covered by the Recreational Boating Safety Program.

PA/sb