45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO HUNTING; CREATING A "PUBLIC LAND HUNTER ADVOCATE" POSITION; PROVIDING DUTIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] PUBLIC LAND HUNTER ADVOCATE--CREATED.--The position of "public land hunter advocate" is created in the governor's office."

Section 2. A new section of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] APPOINTMENT--TERM--RESTRICTION OF QUALIFICATIONS--VACANCY--COMPENSATION.--

A. The public land hunter advocate shall be appointed by the governor for a term of two years and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. A term shall begin on July 1.

B. The public land hunter advocate shall have:

(1) no ties to the outfitting and guide industry;

(2) no ties to the ranching, cattle or agriculture industries;

(3) never received a land owner hunting permit; and

(4) never served as a broker or profited in any manner from the sale of a land owner hunting permit.

C. In the event of a vacancy in the position of public land hunter advocate, the governor shall appoint a person to the vacant position in the same manner as the previous appointment was made.

D. The salary of the public land hunter advocate shall be set by the state game commission and shall be paid from the game protection fund."

Section 3. A new section of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] PUBLIC LAND HUNTER ADVOCATE--DUTIES.-- The public land hunter advocate shall:

A. serve as an advocate for public land hunters;

B. attend all state game commission meetings in order to represent the interests of public land hunters;

C. attend public meetings throughout the state in order to acquire information relating to public land issues and game;

D. develop a method to disseminate public land and game information to public land hunters; and

E. act as a watch dog in the area of landowner permit allocations."

Section 4. APPROPRIATION.--Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is appropriated from the game protection fund to the state game commission for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 for the costs associated with the newly created position of public land hunter advocate. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the game protection fund.