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| SPONSOR: | Crook | DATE TYPED: | 02/02/99 | HB | 211 | ||
| SHORT TITLE: | Weather Modification Services | SB | |||||
| ANALYST: | Pickering | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY99 | FY2000 | FY99 | FY2000 | ||
| NFI | $ 200.0 | NFI | NFI | Recurring | General |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
| Subsequent
Years Impact |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||
| FY99 | FY2000 | |||
| NFI | NFI | NFI | NFI | NFI |
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)
Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of the State Engineer
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
HB 211 appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC)
for the purpose of contracting for weather modification services to enhance precipitation and water supply.
Significant Issues
Weather modification programs are currently functioning in Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. The bill would provide funds for extension of existing technology.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY2000 shall revert to the general fund.
DUPLICATION/CONFLICT/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP
The ISC is currently funding a weather modification coordinator position for Roosevelt, Curry, and Quay Counties.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Local precipitation gauge network has been installed in Roosevelt, Curry, and Quay Counties to analyze effectiveness of existing weather modification program. New programs could be initiated by ISC to possibly increase flows on inter-state streams, thus reducing water debts to adjacent states.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
Public support for weather modification in Eastern New Mexico already exists as evidenced by existing the Llano Estacado Weather Modification Association.
RP/njw