HOUSE BILL 357

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Derrick J. Lente

AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONVENE A NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING INFORMATION TASK FORCE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SECRETARY OF STATE--NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING INFORMATION TASK FORCE.--

          A. The secretary of state shall establish a Native American voting information task force.

          B. The Native American voting information task force shall make findings and recommendations to the secretary of state regarding Native American voting education and information.

          C. The Native American voting information task force shall have five members, appointed by the secretary of state. The members of the task force shall include:

                (1) a member of the Navajo Nation;

                (2) a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation;

                (3) a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe;

                (4) a member of a pueblo; and

                (5) a Native American who resides in an urban area.

          D. Members of the Native American voting information task force shall not receive compensation for the performance of their duties but shall be paid per diem and mileage for attendance at meetings of the task force as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act for nonsalaried public officials.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary of state for expenditure in fiscal year 2018 and subsequent fiscal years to convene a Native American voting information task force. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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