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 Sanchez
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/12/2025
SHORT TITLE Water & Wastewater Operators
BILL
NUMBER
House Memorial
20
ANALYST Davidson
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
NMED
No fiscal
impact
$65.9
No fiscal
impact
$65.9 Nonrecurring General Fund
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Duplicates House Joint Memorial 1
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Office of the State Engineer (OSE)
Agency Declined to Respond
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Memorial 20
House Memorial 20 urges the Legislature to support legislation which would elevate certified
water and wastewater operators to essential workers and urges the Legislature to fund a study
which would analyze adding of water and wastewater operators to the state’s health insurance
and retirement benefit programs.
This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
Legislature adjourns if enacted, or June 20, 2025.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
House Memorial 20 calls for a Legislature-funded study. Using previous analysis related to
legislative studies, LFC estimates costs could be up to $65.9 thousand for a contractor to compile
the study. The memorial does not specify who would lead the study; the analysis assumes the
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) would be the lead, due to their regulation of
water treatment in the state. House Memorial 20 – Page 2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
The memorial does not specify a timeline, nor does it specify a lead entity or legislator or
legislative committee to lead the study. Adding language to clarify the timeline, lead, and
expectations of the study could aid in implementation of the memorial.
CONFLICT, DUPLICATIONS, COMP ANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
House Memorial 20 duplicates House Joint Memorial 1.
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