HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 21

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

W. Ken Martinez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO IDENTIFY THE MOST APPROPRIATE CONTINUING FUNDING MECHANISM FOR THE WATER TRUST FUND.

     WHEREAS, water is a critical resource for New Mexico's well-being and it is in short supply; and

     WHEREAS, water infrastructure, water rights adjudication, water conservation and water supply enhancement are costly responsibilities of the state and many of its political subdivisions; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature took bold and progressive steps in 2001 by enacting the Water Project Finance Act and creating the water trust fund and the water project fund; and

     WHEREAS, the water project fund has been funded from time to time for immediate water project needs, but the water trust fund has yet to obtain long-term funding;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint a task force to assess options for creating a continuing funding mechanism for the water trust fund; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the water trust fund task force be staffed by the legislative council service and that membership of the water trust fund task force be composed of no more than twenty-three members, including legislators, citizens representing the various stakeholders and water project finance experts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council by January 2007; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico legislative council.

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