NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) analysis

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 250 would authorize county commissioners to impose a fee on wastewater treated in a municipal wastewater treatment plant up to $0.25 per 1000 gallons. The bill creates "county environmental protection funds" to receive revenues from the wastewater impact fees. Balances in these funds shall not revert and must be used solely for necessary water improvements, including water and sewer pipeline extensions into unincorporated parts of the counties.

Significant Issues

The county imposing the fee must develop a five year plan for expenditure of the fee revenues. The fees shall be repealed upon a finding that fee revenues are no longer needed to fund significant environmental improvements in the unincorporated area of the county and that all outstanding obligations due to be paid from fee revenues have been satisfied.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 205 creates a revenue stream for the various County Commissions that impose a fee. The magnitude of the revenue is currently unknown.

BOC/prr:gm