SENATE BILL 86

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Siah Correa Hemphill

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING A RURAL AND TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY; REQUIRING REPORTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 21, Article 8 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] RURAL AND TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE--PURPOSES--DUTIES--REPORTS.--

          A. The "rural and tribal development institute" is created within New Mexico state university to:

                (1) identify the baseline economic, infrastructure and public and private service conditions that rural and tribal communities need to be sustainable or for dynamic growth;

                (2) survey development methods implemented by rural and tribal communities in jurisdictions outside of New Mexico and analyze their effectiveness and suitability for application by communities within New Mexico;

                (3) develop state strategies for rural and tribal community development within New Mexico and assist rural and tribal communities in the development of their own strategies;

                (4) prepare students for future careers and provide training for existing community leaders employed or engaged in rural and tribal development; and

                (5) act as a resource for community development information and analysis and inter-community facilitation for state agencies and rural and tribal communities within New Mexico.

          B. On or before November 30, 2024 and on or before November 30 in each subsequent year, the rural and tribal development institute shall provide a report to the governor and the appropriate interim legislative committee that includes the activities of the institute and an index of the vitality of rural and tribal communities in New Mexico as compared to the baseline conditions identified pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of this section.

          C. As used in this section:

                (1) "rural community" means an incorporated municipality with a population of thirty thousand or less or an unincorporated area that has been identified as a designated census place or a census tract by the United States census bureau that is not within ten miles of an incorporated municipality with a population of more than thirty thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census; and

                (2) "tribal community" means a federally or state recognized Indian nation, pueblo or tribe or a political subdivision of a federally or state recognized Indian nation, pueblo or tribe within New Mexico."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two million eight hundred thousand dollars ($2,800,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of New Mexico state university for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2027 to staff and operate the rural and tribal development institute. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2023.

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