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HOUSE MEMORIAL 74

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas E. Swisstack

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR CREATE A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE

THE FUNDING OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES DIVISION OF THE

REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT IN LIGHT OF THE EXTENSIVE

GROWTH IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has identified economic

development as a top priority; and

WHEREAS, emphasis on economic development requires that

the state provide adequate support for the industry growth

resulting from such emphasis; and

WHEREAS, the construction industry is one of the fastest-

growing industries in New Mexico, making it a major economic

driver in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the regulatory services provided to the

construction industry by the construction industries division

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of the regulation and licensing department are essential to

sustaining that growth, to equitable practices in the industry

and to the quality of construction in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the processes for funding the construction

industries division do not take into account the relationship

between industry growth and funding; and

WHEREAS, there exist deficiencies in the construction

inspection process between state and local governments that

need to be fully explored;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be

requested to form a task force to study the relationship

between funding and industry growth and inspection processes at

the state and local government levels and make recommendations

to the legislative finance committee and the department of

finance and administration for means and methods of funding the

construction industries division of the regulation and

licensing department that correspond to growth and other

relevant changes in the construction industry and improving the

efficiencies of all local government inspection processes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider at a

minimum whether the construction industries division should

continue to be a division of the regulation and licensing

department and how funding for this agency can be structured

with flexibility that will enable it to respond effectively to

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growth and declines in the construction industry at both the

state and local levels, including whether enterprise funding is

a viable method of accomplishing this goal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor consider

appointing to the task force a representative from each of the

following: the legislative council service, the legislative

finance committee, the department of finance and

administration, the senate finance committee, the house

appropriations and finance committee, the New Mexico municipal

league, the New Mexico association of counties, the residential

construction industry, the subcontracting industry, organized

labor, the liquefied petroleum gas industry, a licensed and

practicing electrical contractor, a licensed and practicing

mechanical or plumbing contractor, a licensed and practicing

architect, a licensed and practicing general contractor, the

director of the construction industries division of the

regulation and licensing department and a resident of the state

who is not a licensed contractor or certified journeyman who

shall represent the people of New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor consider that the

task force meet for the first time no later than April 1, 2007;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its

findings and make recommendations to the legislative finance

committee and the department of finance and administration by

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August 1, 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of economic development, the

secretary of finance and administration, the superintendent of

regulation and licensing and the governor.

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