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

RELATING TO TOURISM; REQUIRING THE NEW MEXICO OUTDOOR RECREATION DIVISION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE AGRITOURISM.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-15-14.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019, Chapter 117, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

"9-15-14.1. NEW MEXICO OUTDOOR RECREATION DIVISION--DUTIES--DEFINITIONS.--

A. The New Mexico outdoor recreation division of the department shall:

(1) increase outdoor recreation-based economic development, tourism, agritourism and ecotourism in the state;

(2) recruit out-of-state-based outdoor recreation businesses to locate in New Mexico;

(3) promote stewardship and preservation of New Mexico's unique environment and cultural assets;

(4) promote education about and use of outdoor recreation assets to enhance public health; [and]

(5) administer the outdoor equity grant program; and

(6) promote and support in-state recreational and agritourism business.

B. The department, the tourism department, the state land office, the Rio Grande trail commission, the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of game and fish, the cultural affairs department, the Indian affairs department, the department of health and the department of transportation shall work in conjunction with the New Mexico outdoor recreation division to support the division's duties as they relate to the purposes of the respective departments and agencies.

C. For the purposes of administering functions of the New Mexico outdoor recreation division:

(1) "agritourism" means activities, for recreational, entertainment or educational purposes, that allow members of the public to view or enjoy rural activities, including farming activities, ranching activities and historic, cultural or natural attractions;

[(1)] (2) "ecotourism" means a form of tourism that involves visiting areas of ecological interest and is intended as a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial tourism; and

[(2)] (3) "outdoor recreation" means a recreational activity that occurs outdoors in a natural environment, including the use of trails, the natural landscape, water or snow resources or other natural resources in the activity."