HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4

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

INTRODUCED BY

Daymon Ely and Antonio "Moe" Maestas

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CREATION OF AN INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE STATE'S PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING SYSTEMS AND TO PROPOSE MEASURES FOR REFORM.

     WHEREAS, the state dedicates billions of tax dollars to public infrastructure projects and the administration of programs designed to bring those projects to fruition; and

     WHEREAS, using those resources prudently would build the public's trust in government, strengthen the state's economy and improve the quality of infrastructure in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the current use of resources for public infrastructure projects is marked by inefficiency, waste and a lack of transparency; and

     WHEREAS, some of that inefficiency stems from the fact that substantial amounts of public money dedicated to public infrastructure projects sit idle for too long; and

     WHEREAS, it is incumbent on lawmakers to study the problems with the state's public infrastructure funding systems and identify measures to improve those systems;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that an interim committee of the legislature be created to meet during the biennium of the fifty-third legislature to study the problems of unspent infrastructure funds and the inefficient process in public infrastructure funding and to make recommendations on measures to improve the state's public infrastructure process; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee consist of members of the New Mexico legislative council and members of the legislative finance committee, whose positions of leadership and whose understanding of the state's fiscal policy would enhance the committee's performance of its duties and facilitate the reform of New Mexico's public infrastructure project funding systems, and of other members of the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be staffed by the legislative council service with assistance from the legislative finance committee; and

     BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the directors of the legislative council service and the legislative finance committee.

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