SENATE BILL 579
47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006
INTRODUCED BY
Leonard Tsosie
AN ACT
RELATING TO EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY; PROVIDING FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES; ESTABLISHING CONDITIONS FOR PROJECTS WITHIN THE NAVAJO NATION; PROVIDING FOR DIRECT PAYMENTS TO VENDORS; DEFINING INDIGENCY; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.--
A. The legislature finds that many residents of this state living within Indian country are impoverished and are involuntarily living without electric service, indoor plumbing, adequate potable water, telecommunications or related infrastructure due to federal government policies over the decades. This finding is based upon federal decennial census data showing that Native Americans living in Indian country have a long history of income below federal poverty levels and a lack of basic domestic amenities. Living under such adverse circumstances has a negative impact on the education of children at the elementary and secondary school levels and on the health and welfare of Native Americans in general.
B. Since the nineteenth century, the federal government has assumed a trust responsibility for Native Americans, but since New Mexico attained statehood, it has had a responsibility for its Native American residents.
C. The legislature finds it is the policy of the state of New Mexico to improve the basic quality of life of residents within Indian country through the use of any means available.
D. The purpose of this act is in part to enable the state, in compliance with the provisions of the constitution of New Mexico, to provide financial assistance to residents within Indian country so that they may be served by basic residential services such as electric service, indoor plumbing, sewer, adequate potable water, telecommunications and related infrastructure.
E. The state has developed government-to-government relationships and agreements with the twenty-two Indian nations, tribes and pueblos in New Mexico regarding education and other topics. To better provide services to Native Americans, many state agencies have designated divisions or liaisons to work with the nations, tribes and pueblos.
F. The state has worked with Indian nations, tribes and pueblos, of which the Navajo Nation is the largest tribal government, and recognizes that the Navajo Nation is divided into political subdivisions designated as chapters.
G. Due to federal, state and tribal policies related to the implementation of capital outlay and other projects, delays in implementation due to bureaucratic red tape have resulted in the reversion of millions of dollars in capital outlay funds designated for projects in Indian country.
H. Tribal governments and their subdivisions have, through the years, organized nonprofit entities to assist in the provision of education and other basic services.
Section 2. FISCAL AGENTS FOR NAVAJO NATION PROJECTS.--The state recognizes the chapters of the Navajo Nation as local tribal entities having the capability and capacity to apply for and implement capital improvement projects. The state also recognizes as local tribal entities those nonprofit entities organized under the supervision of tribal governments whose mission or objective is to provide education and other basic services and who may apply for and implement capital improvement projects. Therefore, the state may contract through a fiscal agent other than the Navajo Nation for the expenditure of state funds on behalf of local tribal entities of the Navajo Nation. Unless otherwise negotiated, an administrative fee of no more than five percent of a project's cost may be charged by the entity that serves as fiscal agent.
Section 3. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS.--Local tribal entities may be considered as vendors when they utilize their own resources to implement capital improvement projects.
Section 4. DIRECT PAYMENTS.--
A. In the case of capital outlay projects located within Indian country and authorized to the Indian affairs department or other state agencies working through the Indian affairs department, the state may make payments directly to third-party contractors for services rendered or goods supplied regarding such projects. Upon approval by the Indian affairs department of a billing statement submitted on behalf of a vendor by a tribal government or a local tribal entity, the department may arrange for payment of that statement directly to the vendor. Capital outlay projects may be invoiced and paid in phases.
B. The department of finance and administration is authorized to make payments directly to third-party contractors for services rendered or goods supplied regarding capital outlay projects located within Indian country and authorized to the Indian affairs department.
Section 5. NAVAJO NATION PROJECTS--GENERAL FUND
APPROPRIATIONS.--Money appropriated from the general fund to several chapters of the Navajo Nation located in New Mexico for the same or similar purposes may be pooled by those chapters to create a regional or centralized project upon review of the Indian affairs department and approval by the state board of finance.
Section 6. TRIBAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.--The provisions of this act also may be used to implement the provisions of the Tribal Infrastructure Act.
Section 7. PRESUMPTION OF INDIGENCY.--For the purposes of capital outlay projects located within Indian country and authorized to the Indian affairs department, pursuant to Subsection A of Section 14 of Article 9 of the constitution of New Mexico, persons who reside in Indian country who are not served by electric service, water service, indoor plumbing, sewers, telecommunications or related infrastructure are presumed to be indigent. State agencies may contract with and make payment to local tribal entities to assist the indigent in local tribal entities.
Section 8. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--The department of finance and administration or the Indian affairs department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
Section 9. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
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