HOUSE BILL 824

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

INTRODUCED BY

Miguel P. Garcia







AN ACT

RELATING TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS; CREATING THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI-NEW MEXICAN PEACE COUNCIL; CREATING THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI-NEW MEXICAN YOUTH PEACE TOUR; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.



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

Section 1. PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI-NEW MEXICAN PEACE COUNCIL.--There is created an "Palestinian-Israeli-New Mexican peace council" in the office of cultural affairs. The council shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor. Council members shall reflect the diverse perspectives and ethnic groups involved in Palestinian, Israeli and New Mexican cultures. The council shall maintain a nonsectarian policy. The council shall consult with the members of the Palestinian-Israeli-New Mexican youth peace tour of New Mexico when developing the agenda of the peace tour. Members of the council shall be compensated as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

Section 2. PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI-NEW MEXICAN YOUTH PEACE TOUR.--The council shall create and organize an "Palestinian-Israeli-New Mexican youth peace tour" of New Mexico. The peace tour shall:

A. consist of an equal number of Palestinian, Israeli and New Mexican youth under the age of nineteen;

B. provide for translation services in the Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish and English languages, if needed;

C. provide for cultural exchange and dialogue among the youth of the peace tour;

D. convene public meetings in which the members of the peace tour share with the public their perspectives on Palestinian and Israeli history and cultural issues; and

E. travel throughout New Mexico and expose the Palestinian and Israeli youth to the state's many cultures.

Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of cultural affairs for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 to fund the Palestinian-Israeli-New Mexican peace council and the Palestinian-Israeli-New Mexican youth peace tour. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.