44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

RELATING TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; ENACTING THE NEXT GENERATION TRUST FUND ACT; CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION TRUST FUND AND THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND; ESTABLISHING A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Next Generation Trust Fund Act".

Section 2. PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Next Generation Trust Fund Act is to establish the next generation council composed of both adults and youths and to establish a grant assistance program to support community service, citizenship and leadership activities designed to support youth development for the next generation.

Section 3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Next Generation Trust Fund Act:

A. "council" means the next generation council;

B. "department" means the department of health;

C. "youth" means a person between the ages of five and twenty; and

D. "youth development" means establishing policies, activities and programs to ensure the healthy development of children and young people in reaching their full potential as successful students and community members.

Section 4. NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--TERMS.--

A. The "next generation council" is created as an oversight entity for developing comprehensive programs and strategies to support youth development statewide. The council is administratively attached to the department, and the department shall provide administrative support for the council in carrying out its duties as provided in the Next Generation Trust Fund Act.

B. The council shall consist of thirteen members with experience in youth development who are appointed from throughout the state so as to provide geographic diversity. Eight adult members shall be appointed to four-year terms, and five youth members shall be appointed to two-year terms by the following appointing authorities:

(1) two adults and one youth shall be appointed by the governor;

(2) two adults and two youths shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate;

(3) one adult and one youth enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution shall be appointed by the commission on higher education;

(4) one adult and one youth shall be appointed by the secretary of health;

(5) one adult shall be appointed by the state board of education; and

(6) one adult shall be appointed by the secretary of children, youth and families.

C. Of the initial council members, the adults appointed shall serve for two years and the youth members shall serve initially for one year. Thereafter, adult members shall be appointed to four-year terms and youth members to two-year terms. A vacancy on the council shall be filled by the respective appointing authority for the remainder of the vacating member's term.

D. The council shall elect annually from its membership a chairman and other officers it deems necessary to carry out its duties. The council shall meet at the call of the chairman, but not less than once each quarter. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business.

E. Council members shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

Section 5. NEXT GENERATION TRUST FUND CREATED--TOBACCO SETTLEMENT REVENUES--DISTRIBUTION.--

A. The "next generation trust fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money appropriated to the fund by the legislature.

B. Money in the next generation trust fund shall be invested by the state investment officer as land grant permanent funds are invested pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 8 NMSA 1978 and shall not be expended for any purpose. Income earned from investment of the next generation trust fund shall be credited to the fund. Beginning in fiscal year 2002, there shall be an annual distribution from the next generation trust fund to the youth development grant fund as provided in Subsection C of this section.

C. In fiscal years 2002 and 2003, the annual distribution to the youth development grant fund shall be five percent of the amount appropriated to the next generation trust fund in fiscal year 2001. Thereafter, the annual distribution shall be four and seven-tenths percent of the average annual balance in the next generation trust fund for the preceding two fiscal years.

Section 6. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND CREATED.--The "youth development grant fund" is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the department pursuant to the direction and policies of the council. The fund shall consist of distributions from the next generation trust fund and money from any other public or private source appropriated to or deposited in the fund. Money in the youth development grant fund is appropriated to the department to make youth development grants upon council approval and pursuant to a youth development grant assistance program developed in accordance with the provisions of the Next Generation Trust Fund Act. Any income earned on balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund. Balances in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be retained in the fund for expenditure as provided in this section and shall not revert to the general fund or to the next generation trust fund.

Section 7. POWERS AND DUTIES OF NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL--YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.--

A. The council shall design, implement and manage a youth development grant assistance program to provide grants and contracts through a competitive proposal process to local governments, public schools, not-for-profit organizations, tribal entities and post-secondary educational institutions for youth development programs and activities for youths throughout rural and urban New Mexico. Priority shall be given to proposals that involve youths in such positive activities as after-school programs, community service- learning programs, leadership and citizenship projects, youth entrepreneurship programs or programs that provide training and assistance to individuals working with youth and that promote best practices in youth development.

B. The council shall develop annual goals and priorities for youth development statewide and determine policies for overall programmatic direction of the youth development grant assistance program. The council shall oversee the implementation of the grant process, including development of requests for proposals, review and approval of grant applications and the oversight and management of funded grants. The council shall set guidelines and directions for determining the impact and effectiveness of assisted programs and require that at least five percent of each funded grant be allocated toward accountability and program evaluation components. For purposes of this subsection, "accountability" means measuring base lines, documenting progress and assuring that all parties who commit themselves to act on a program or policy agenda related to youth development actually do so. The council shall also advise other state departments on the need to integrate and coordinate youth policy and program development.

C. The department shall provide such administrative assistance to the council as agreed upon by the department and the council. Not more than ten percent of the money distributed to the fund in fiscal years 2002 through 2005 shall be used by the council and the department for administrative purposes. Thereafter, not more than five percent of the money distributed to the fund in any fiscal year shall be used by the council and the department for administrative purposes.