SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 55

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO MAKE A DISTRIBUTION FROM THE TRAIL SAFETY FUND TO CONTRACT FOR A STUDY OF OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE USE IN NEW MEXICO AND THUS ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG RURAL ECONOMIES IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, many of New Mexico's residents depend on off-highway motor vehicles for ranching and farming, hunting and access to public lands and for use of off-highway motor vehicles for family recreation; and

     WHEREAS, off-highway motor vehicles have become a significant contributor to New Mexico's rural economies; and

     WHEREAS, rural communities in New Mexico face economic stress resulting from the national economic downturn; and

     WHEREAS, in order for rural communities to survive, they need local economic development that allows residents to remain in their small towns, sustain their way of life, earn an income and support their families; and

     WHEREAS, other states across the country are successfully developing off-highway motor vehicle recreation to create and enhance tourism and economic development in rural communities; and

     WHEREAS, the neighboring states of Colorado and Arizona have recognized the significance of off-highway motor vehicle activity and have enacted legislation directing rigorous, comprehensive studies of off-highway motor vehicle use in their respective states; and

     WHEREAS, the report directed by Senate Joint Memorial 40 of the second session of the forty-eighth legislature notes that compliance with the requirements of Senate Joint Memorial 40 was not possible because time and funding were insufficient to conduct a detailed study of the costs and benefits of off-road vehicle recreation as compared to non-motorized recreation and that there is no data specific to New Mexico off-highway motor vehicle ownership and use patterns; and

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill 379 of the first session of the forty-ninth legislature authorizes the department of game and fish to make a distribution from the trail safety fund for information system development and management; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature of the state of New Mexico desires to protect and encourage traditional rural lifestyles and identify opportunities for improvement of rural economies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to make a distribution from the trail safety fund to contract for a professional and scientifically sound study of off-highway motor vehicle use in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study be a statistically valid survey of off-highway motor vehicle ownership and use; identification of communities best suited for off-highway motor vehicle tourism based on proximity to recreation opportunities, local infrastructure and local desire for economic development; and an assessment of potential economic benefits; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish prepare and distribute a request for proposal pursuant to the Procurement Code, including distribution to at least three academic entities, for bid; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish request for proposal direct the study authors to include discussions of definitions and methodology enabling direct comparison to studies produced by other states; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the comprehensive study be completed and delivered to the appropriate committee appointed by the New Mexico legislative council by December 15, 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the department of game and fish.

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