SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 55

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE

REVENUE STABILIZATION AND TAX POLICY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE REGULATION OF NATURAL GAS GATHERING IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO TO DETERMINE IF REGULATORY AUTHORITY SHOULD BE GRANTED TO THE OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO ASSURE THAT NATURAL GAS GATHERING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO NEW MEXICO NATURAL GAS PRODUCERS ON FAIR, EQUITABLE AND NONDISCRIMINATORY TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

     WHEREAS, natural gas is an important source of energy for America's economic health and future growth; and

     WHEREAS, natural gas is an important source of revenue and employment for the citizens of New Mexico and for New Mexico's state government; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's tax revenues are impacted by the amount charged by those entities that provide gathering services to natural gas producers; and

     WHEREAS, a fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory rate structure for gathering services is important to natural gas producers and to the state of New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee to examine whether the oil conservation division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department of the state of New Mexico should be authorized to investigate complaints from natural gas producers of unfair, inequitable or discriminatory practices by natural gas gatherers and should be authorized to require that natural gas gathering services be provided on terms and conditions that are fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the chair of the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee and the director of the oil conservation division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

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