HOUSE MEMORIAL 60

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Joanne J. Ferrary and Sarah Silva and Raymundo Lara

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES TO STUDY ISSUES STEMMING FROM THE REGIONAL SPACEPORT DISTRICT ACT AND THE SPACEPORT DEVELOPMENT ACT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

     WHEREAS, nearly twenty years ago, the Regional Spaceport District Act and the Spaceport Development Act were enacted to provide a framework for the establishment of spaceports in New Mexico and grow the state's aerospace industry; and

     WHEREAS, these acts have provided a strong inception to spaceport America and New Mexico's aerospace industry, but issues have emerged; and

     WHEREAS, the acts allow for discrepancies in the financial contributions of governmental units relative to their representation and the lack of ability of the governmental units to exercise control over their financial destiny and obligations; and

     WHEREAS, there is a substantial imbalance between the level of contributions made by counties and the counties' representation on the board and in the decision-making processes; and

     WHEREAS, these imbalanced financial obligations and contributions of governmental units can continue to be determined and imposed without the governmental unit's agreement; and

     WHEREAS, these concerns warrant a thorough and deliberate examination to ensure that the interests of all local governments and constituents are fairly represented, that financial responsibilities are clearly defined and properly managed and that the governance structure reflects the realities of contributions made by those who are expected to bear the costs and risks associated with spaceport development and operations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the appropriate interim legislative committee that studies science, technology and telecommunications and the revenue stabilization and tax policy committee be requested to study the provisions, execution and impacts of the Regional Spaceport District Act and the Spaceport Development Act, specifically examining House Bill 396 of the first session of the fifty-seventh legislature and the governance structure, financial contributions, any potential imbalance in governing units' representation and requirements for issuing bonds; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interim legislative committees be requested to examine potential reforms to the Regional Spaceport District Act and the Spaceport Development Act and make recommendations for legislation for the second session of the fifty-seventh legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the director of the legislative council service, members of the spaceport authority and members of all regional spaceport districts.

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