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

SPONSOR Rodella

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-19-07

HB 943

SHORT TITLE Wildlife Education Programs and Rehabilitation

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

none

200.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SB848

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Game and Fish (DGF)

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 943 seeks to appropriate $200,000 from the general fund to the Department of Game

and Fish for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 for wildlife education programs and wildlife

rehabilitation. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year

2008 shall revert to the general fund.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

DGF indicates that the appropriation of $200,000.00 for wildlife education and wildlife

rehabilitation would be used to expand upon activities and programs currently conducted by the

Department of Game and Fish. Further, that although the bill does not specify which programs

or rehabilitators should receive funding, DGF could use a portion of the funding as match for

certain Federal funds. These funds will be used to provide goods and/or services during the

fiscal year, not to fund personnel.

House Bill 943 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

EMNRD indicates that the funding proposed in SB 848 would support programming provided by

DGF to provide wildlife education and rehabilitation throughout the state. DGF currently

coordinates a statewide Aquatic Education program, providing many successful fishing and

aquatic education clinics to participants of all ages. State Parks Division is in partnership with

DGF in these endeavors at state parks.

EMNRD adds that the funding proposed in SB 848 could help DGF expand existing and new

wildlife education program offerings, which would be of benefit to both New Mexicans and to

wildlife resources. Wildlife rehabilitation is also an important service offered by DGF and this

funding could provide for stewardship of many resources throughout the state. DGF also offers

Project Wild and hunter education courses that could be augmented through SB 848, enhancing

hunter safety and resource stewardship.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Duplicates SB848

TECHNICAL ISSUES

DGF notes that the Department of Game and Fish does not engage in wildlife rehabilitation as it

lacks the physical facilities and the technical and professional expertise necessary to conduct this

specialized activity. This appropriation would be used to continue at an expanded pace funding

of existing rehabilitation facilities. Such specialized facilities include the Wildlife Center in

Espanola and Wildlife Rescue, Inc., in Albuquerque.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

DGF suggests that wildlife education and rehabilitation efforts would continue, but at a slower

pace than if this money is made available. Fewer injured birds will be recovered and released to

the wild.

BFW/mt