March 1, 2001

Mr. Speaker:

Your APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred

HOUSE BILL 740

has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation that it DO PASS, amended as follows:

1. On page 1, line 12, after the semicolon insert "ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF MEXICAN AFFAIRS;".

2. On page 1, line 13, strike "AN APPROPRIATION" and insert in lieu thereof "APPROPRIATIONS".

3. On page 2, line 21, strike "SUBPOENA POWER--".

4. On page 4, after line 25, insert the following section:

"Section 7. OFFICE OF MEXICAN AFFAIRS--DUTIES.--

A. The "office of Mexican affairs" is created. The office shall consist of a director, appointed by the governor, and such other clerical and technical personnel as are necessary, within available appropriations, to perform the duties of the office. The office is administratively attached to the office of the governor.

B. The office of Mexican affairs shall:

(1) be the executive agency responsible for conducting the state's relations with the republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua; and

(2) to the extent necessary to ensure that common economic, political, cultural and infrastructure issues with the republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua are coordinated, direct the activities of the New Mexico border commission, the border authority, the joint border research institute at New Mexico state university, the economic development department, the tourism department, the state highway and transportation department, the department of health and the department of public safety.".

5. Renumber the succeeding section accordingly.

6. On page 5, line 1, strike "APPROPRIATION" and insert in lieu thereof "APPROPRIATIONS" and before "Fifty" insert the subsection designation "A.".

7. On page 5, between lines 7 and 8, insert the following subsection and section:

"B. Three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of Mexican affairs for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

Section 9. DELAYED REPEAL.--Sections 1 through 6 of this act are repealed on July 1, 2004.".

Respectfully submitted,

Max Coll, Chairman

Adopted Not Adopted

(Chief Clerk) (Chief Clerk)

The roll call vote was 13 For 0 Against

Yes: 13

Excused: Mohorovic, Salazar, Taylor, JP, Varela, Watchman

Absent: None

.137438.1

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