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 Expenditure Decreases)

Conflicts with SB626, SB676, HB325, and HENRC substitute for HB203.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

New Mexico Environment Department

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 742 creates a new position of "Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice" in the New Mexico Environment Department, and describes the duties of this office. Also, this bill creates an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of community-based organizations statewide, and describes the duties of this committee.

In addition, the bill amends section 74-2-7 NMSA 1978 to provide the deadline for a final decision by the Department or local agency to be a maximum of 270 days after the application is complete.

Significant Issues

The Environmental Justice Advisory Committee will advise the Secretary of Environment and the Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice.

The Deputy Secretary will review demographics, oversee outreach and education programs, and serve as liaison to federal environmental justice representatives and to local communities.

In addition to these duties, the Deputy Secretary is charged with the tasks of developing a database of priority facilities that "require action" and present the list to the Secretary and to the Committee. The Deputy Secretary must also develop a small business assistance program and perform other duties as assigned.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 742 appropriates $250.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Environment Department for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 will revert to the general fund.

These monies are to pay for the costs of the Deputy Secretary position and the travel and per diem costs of the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The creation of the Deputy Secretary position and the advisory committee will have a long-term administrative effect on the Environment Department. Direct costs for the position, administrative support responsibilities (secretarial, etc.), and costs for the committee have been identified as the administrative implications of this bill.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Senate Bill 742 conflicts with SB626, SB676, HB 325, and HENRC substitute for HB203, which all have provisions that specify different permit processing times/deadlines.

MW/prr