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SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

State Parks Division Bill Analysis

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HENRC Amendment

The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee (HENRC) amendment to House Bill 460 would lower the cost of the annual permit from $150 to $125.

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 460 would require the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to create and sell an annual "legislative pass" to all New Mexico residents, providing access to all state parks. The pass would be valid for one year after the purchase date, would limit camping to 14 consecutive days at any individual park, and would cost $150.

Significant Issues

The State Parks Division, under the administration of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, promulgated a new fee structure on January 1, 1999. Aside from increases in fees, the new structure eliminated the annual permit, except for senior citizens and disabled persons, which House Bill 460 does not eliminate. Therefore, enactment of the bill would require the division to offer and monitor two types of annual permits:

• An annual permit, cost of $89, available to senior citizens and disabled persons.
• An annual legislative pass, cost $150, available to all residents.




FISCAL IMPLICATIONS





House Bill 460 does not contain an appropriation. Enactment would have a minor fiscal impact, which is unknown, to develop the annual "legislative pass," but would not require additional FTE.





ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS





The State Parks Division argues, in its bill analysis, that enactment would impose significant administrative burdens on its park personnel who are responsible for verifying day, overnight, and annual permits. However, the division personnel already perform this function in their daily activities. There would be minor administrative implications to align operations with a new type of annual permit.





CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP





House Bill 460 relates to Senate Bills 199 and 237.





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