Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the Legislature. LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they
are used for other purposes.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Ferrary/Lujan/Silva/Block
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 3/11/25
SHORT TITLE Trinity Site Rest Stop
BILL
NUMBER
House Joint
Memorial 8
ANALYST Simon
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
See Fiscal
Implications
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Relates to House Memorial 50
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Tourism Department (NMTD) Agency Analysis was Solicited but Not Received From
Department of Transportation (NMDOT)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Joint Memorial 8
House Joint Memorial 8 requests the Department of Transportation (NMDOT) construct a rest
stop on US-380 at the entrance to the Trinity Site near Bingham in honor of downwinders
impacted by the detonation of atomic weapons.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Memorials do not carry appropriations and do not require that agencies undertake the action that
is requested by the memorial. However, the construction and maintenance of a new rest stop
would likely require a significant investment of either general fund or state road fund dollars.
While the term “rest stop” may be open to interpretation, typically rest stops have several
amenities, including parking, restrooms, and drinking water, and in some cases picnic table,
shade structures, or facilities for pets. Costs for the proposed site could be particularly expensive,
given the costs of construction in remote areas. Further, NMDOT would likely need to purchase
land to complete the project, which could significantly increase the cost and time needed to House Joint Memorial 8 – Page 2
complete the planning phase of the project. The memorial requests NMDOT hold a dedication
ceremony on July 16, 2025, which is likely too soon for NMDOT to make any significant
progress on the requested project.
Recently, the department began a $20 million project to demolish and replace the Rattlesnake
Rest Area on Interstate 40 in Torrance County. While a cost estimate from the department is not
available, LFC would expect the construction of a new rest area to be at least as costly.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
The Trinity Site, on the White Sands missile range in southern New Mexico, was the site of the
first atomic weapon detonation on July 16, 1945. HJM8 notes currently there is no historic
marker, routinely accessible to the public, commemorating the historic significance of the site.
Additionally, the memorial requests the site be dedicated to “downwinders” residents of nearby
counties. According to the National Park Service, residents of Lincoln, Socorro, Otero, and
Sierra counties have reported cancer diagnoses in people with no prior family history and other
diseases, such as heart disease. Residents of the area have lobbied for inclusion in the federal
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which provides compensation for medical treatment
related to radiation exposure. That act currently only covers exposure from uranium mining or
exposure from testing in Nevada.
The Tourism Department provides the following analysis, which may relate to the feasibility of
the proposed site:
The Trinity Site is within the White Sands Missile Range and is only open to the public
twice a year. A rest stop and memorial may attract tourists who expect year-round access.
Additionally, Highway 380 is a remote area with limited services. Increased tourism
could create demands for additional infrastructure, such as restrooms, security, and
emergency response services.
JWS/hg/sgs