HOUSE BILL 563

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

AN ACT

RELATING TO PARKS; CREATING THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND POLICIES TO ESTABLISH A RIO GRANDE TRAIL; CREATING THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] RIO GRANDE TRAIL COMMISSION CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--FUND CREATED--ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.--

          A. The "Rio Grande trail commission" is created to establish the Rio Grande trail to run the length of the state from Colorado to Texas. The commission shall define and recommend viable path routes of the Rio Grande Trail, mitigate challenges related to its establishment and define and recommend other features, facilities and enhancements needed on the trail. The commission shall also make recommendations to the legislature as needed and report its progress annually to the appropriate interim committees that deal with water and natural resources and rural and economic development. The commission shall consist of members appointed by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources and shall include:

                (1) the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources or the secretary's designee;

                (2) a representative from each of the following:

                     (a) the economic development department;

                     (b) the department of game and fish;

                     (c) the department of transportation;

                     (d) each of the conservancy or irrigation districts served by water in the Rio Grande;

                     (e) an organization representing the acequia community;

                     (f) an organization representing counties;

                     (g) an organization representing the land grant community;

                     (h) an organization representing municipalities;

                     (i) an organization representing Rio Grande area Indian nations, tribes or pueblos;

                     (j) an organization with trail management experience;

                     (k) the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department; and 

                     (l) the tourism department; and

                (3) two members of the public interested in the Rio Grande trail development.

          B. The secretary shall appoint the chair from among the members of the commission and invite federal entities to be a part of the commission, including the: 

                (1) bureau of land management;

                (2) bureau of reclamation;

                (3) international boundary and water commission;

                (4) national park service;

                (5) United States army corps of engineers;

                (6) United States fish and wildlife service;

                (7) United States forest service; and

                (8) the offices of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

          C. The commission shall be administratively attached to and staffed by the energy, minerals and natural resources department. Members of the commission are entitled to per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance, contingent upon money being available for this purpose.

          D. The commission shall:

                (1) define and recommend viable path routes of the Rio Grande trail that shall be contiguous where possible and include only land that is expressly authorized by the owner for inclusion in the Rio Grande trail;

                (2) mitigate challenges related to the Rio Grande trail's establishment, including facilitating negotiations and discussions with landowners and jurisdictions surrounding the Rio Grande;

                (3) define and recommend other features, facilities and enhancements needed on the Rio Grande trail;

                (4) make recommendations to the legislature as needed; and 

                (5) report its progress annually to the appropriate interim legislative committees related to water and natural resources and economic development. 

          E. The "Rio Grande trail fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, donations, grants to the fund, income from investment of the fund and money otherwise accruing to the fund. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year. The energy, minerals and natural resources department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the energy, minerals and natural resources department to develop and establish the Rio Grande trail. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources or the secretary's authorized representative.

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the

provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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