HOUSE BILL 175

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales

AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION; CREATING A JOINT INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] FINDINGS.--The legislature finds that:

          A. the public welfare and economy of the state depend on a safe and reliable transportation system for people, goods and services;

          B. public transportation infrastructure projects, including state highways, typically require long-range planning, extended time lines for design and construction and significant investment of state funds, including continuing funding for maintenance;

          C. the current system of roads and other public-use transportation systems represents a significant, multi-year investment of taxpayer resources;

          D. the traditional revenue mechanisms for funding transportation systems typically result in construction funds that suffer continual erosion of purchasing power over time; and

          E. the legislature requires analyses of the changing transportation needs of the state, the costs involved to acquire the needed infrastructure to meet the anticipated demand for public roadways and other transportation options and of potential transportation funding mechanisms on a continuing basis.

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES.--

          A. There is created a joint interim legislative committee that shall be known as the "transportation committee".

          B. The transportation committee shall be composed of ten members. Five members of the house of representatives shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and five members of the senate shall be appointed by the committees' committee of the senate or, if the senate appointments are made in the interim, by the president pro tempore of the senate after consultation with and agreement of a majority of the members of the committees' committee.

          C. No action shall be taken by the committee if a majority of the total membership from either house on the committee rejects such action.

     SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] DUTIES.--After its appointment, the transportation committee shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan and budget for the ensuing interim. The work plan and budget shall be submitted to the New Mexico legislative council for approval. Upon approval of the work plan and budget by the New Mexico legislative council, the committee shall examine:

          A. the current condition and capabilities of the state's transportation system, the patterns of economic and population growth that may impact the demand on the transportation system and changes in the types of transportation options required by businesses and residents; and

          B. the costs of maintaining, repairing and improving the state's transportation system, the ability of current revenue streams to meet transportation needs and options to meet potential deficits in transportation revenue streams.

     SECTION 4. [NEW MATERIAL] REPORT.--The transportation committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of each session of the legislature. The report and suggested legislation shall be made available to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 15 preceding each session.

     SECTION 5. [NEW MATERIAL] STAFF.--The staff for the transportation committee shall be provided by the legislative council service.  

     SECTION 6. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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