REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO REVIEW, STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNCTIONS, STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND THE STAFF SUPPORT FOR THAT PROCESS.

WHEREAS, the legislature has the constitutional authority to organize itself; and

WHEREAS, the federal government is shifting an ever-growing number of responsibilities to the states; and

WHEREAS, as New Mexico policymakers have been confronted with more pressing issues and increasing responsibilities, the size and complexity of governmental operations have grown over the last decade; and

WHEREAS, in trying to respond to all of these complexities and responsibilities in an ever-changing world, the legislature has created a number of permanent interim committees, temporary task- or issues-oriented interim committees, short- and long-term oversight committees and standing committees that function during the session; and

WHEREAS, the increasing number of interim committees created by the legislature in recent years has often led to duplication and inefficient and ineffective use of legislative staff;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to review and study the roles, responsibilities, functions, structure and organization of the committee process and the necessary staff support for this process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council review the standing, statutory and legislative council-created interim committees to identify opportunities to more effectively structure and organize their work and responsibilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council review the roles, functions and organization of the staff required to support the work of the committees in carrying out their legislative responsibilities, including the technical expertise needed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council conduct a review of the organization of the legislative committee process and its support staff in other states, and identify options regarding effective and efficient committee roles, responsibilities, organization and structures, the adequacy of the staff and the optimum staffing structure, organization and functions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council solicit input from the members of the legislature and the various legislative staff; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council report its findings and recommendations to the second session of the forty-fifth legislature.