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

RELATING TO FORT STANTON; CREATING THE FORT STANTON DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES AND POWERS; CREATING THE FORT STANTON DEVELOPMENT FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. FORT STANTON DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION--CREATED.--

A. There is created the "Fort Stanton development commission", which shall be administratively attached to the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

B. The commission shall consist of five members selected as follows:

(1) the Lincoln county manager or his designee;

(2) the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources; and

(3) three members, residents of Lincoln county, appointed by the governor.

C. The chairman of the commission shall be elected annually from among the commission membership.

D. Appointed members shall serve for terms of six years each but the initial appointment shall be for two, four and six years to accomplish staggered terms. Vacancies in an appointed member's seat shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

E. Appointed members shall receive no compensation but shall be paid per diem and mileage as provided for nonsalaried officers in the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

Section 2. DUTIES AND POWERS.--

A. The Fort Stanton development commission shall:

(1) plan, assemble, dispose of and acquire furnishings, art, landscaping materials and plants and other decorations for the public areas of Fort Stanton;

(2) monitor and report on the status of maintenance of Fort Stanton and recommend to the legislature actions necessary to repair, maintain and renovate the grounds and improvements; and

(3) develop statewide interest in Fort Stanton and develop a comprehensive plan for the most appropriate and beneficial use of Fort Stanton.

B. The commission may:

(1) utilize the assistance of individuals, the energy, minerals and natural resources department, other state agencies and nonprofit charitable corporations in carrying out its duties;

(2) accept on behalf of the state from any private or other public sources money, gifts, donations and bequests for use by the commission in carrying out its duties; and

(3) enter into public promotions of its endeavors and publish such materials as it deems appropriate to promote the purposes of the commission.

Section 3. TRUST FUND CREATED.--The "Fort Stanton development fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of all gifts, donations and bequests of money to the Fort Stanton development commission as well as any appropriations made to the commission. Earnings from the investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. Expenditure from the fund shall be made only for the purposes for which the commission was created pursuant to vouchers signed by the chairman of the commission on warrants issued by the secretary of finance and administration.

Section 4. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the Fort Stanton development fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.