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

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; ESTABLISHING A RURAL AFFAIRS BUREAU IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Economic Development Department Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] RURAL AFFAIRS BUREAU--ESTABLISHED--PURPOSE.--

A. The "rural affairs bureau" is established in the economic development division of the economic development department.

B. The purpose of the rural affairs bureau is to provide:

(1) comprehensive information on local, state and federal agricultural and rural economic development programs to agricultural producers and businesses, rural communities and local and regional economic development organizations; and

(2) assistance to agricultural producers and businesses, rural communities and local and regional economic development organizations in applying for and coordinating rural economic development programs."

Section 2. A new section of the Economic Development Department Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] RURAL AFFAIRS BUREAU--DUTIES.--The rural affairs bureau shall:

A. develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide rural economic development activity information database and referral service;

B. establish a mechanism for advertising the existence of the office and its referral service;

C. provide professional assistance and information regarding rural economic development activity and programs;

D. establish a reporting procedure to monitor the success of the referral service;

E. foster, coordinate and support the efforts of individuals, organizations and other departments or state agencies involved in rural economic development activities, programs or projects;

F. coordinate work with the regional councils of the planning and development districts created in the Planning District Act and supervise the work of any development specialists assigned to those regions; and

G. develop a budget and hire staff as needed to operate the rural affairs bureau."

Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the economic development department for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 for the purpose of establishing and operating the rural affairs bureau in the economic development division of the economic development department. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.