REQUESTING THAT THE CORRECTIONS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TAKE TESTIMONY REGARDING THE HIGH COST TO COUNTIES OF TRANSPORTING STATE INMATES.

WHEREAS, in terms of land mass, the state of New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the nation; and

WHEREAS, due to the size of New Mexico, the cost of transporting state inmates between county jails and correctional facilities places a tremendous strain on county budgets; and

WHEREAS, although Section 4-44-18 NMSA 1978 provides that a county may be reimbursed by the state for the expense of transporting state inmates, the reality is that counties have not been reimbursed by the state for several years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the corrections oversight committee be requested to take testimony regarding the high cost to counties of transporting state inmates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the corrections oversight committee be requested to take testimony on this matter from the New Mexico association of counties and the corrections department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the corrections oversight committee, the executive director of the New Mexico association of counties and the secretary of corrections.