HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 18

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY CREATING A STATE LANDS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE PROPOSED SALES OR TRADES OF STATE LAND AND TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE PROPOSED SURFACE LEASES OF STATE LAND FOR PLANNING OR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 13 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

          "A. The "state lands oversight commission" is created. The state lands oversight commission shall consist of:

                (1) the state auditor;

                (2) the attorney general;

                (3) the president pro tempore of the senate;

                (4) the speaker of the house of representatives;

                (5) two members of the public appointed by the governor; and

                (6) two members representing beneficiaries of the state land trusts appointed by the governor.

          B. The appointed members shall be appointed for terms of four years, except that, of the initial appointees, two shall be appointed for a term of two years and the other two shall be appointed for a term of three years. An appointed member shall only be removed as provided by law.

          C. The state lands oversight commission shall review and approve or disapprove proposed sales or trades of state land and shall review and approve or disapprove proposed surface leases of state land for planning or development purposes. No sale or trade of state land and no surface lease of state land for planning or development purposes shall be effective until the sale, trade or lease is approved by the state lands oversight commission.

          D. This section is self-executing, but the legislature shall, by law, provide procedures for its implementation.

          E. The effective date of the provisions of this section is the January 1 following its adoption by the people."

     Section 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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