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

RELATING TO STATE PLANNING; CREATING THE NEW MEXICO HORIZONS TASK FORCE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.--

A. The legislature finds that the growing complexity and interdependence of the modern world as demonstrated by, among other factors, the changing workforce education needs, global environmental change, the aging population, international trade, the ever-growing number of working poor and the demand for fundamental changes in the role of government require that government policymakers establish a long-range, strategic planning process to assist them in setting policy direction and goals for state and local governments.

B. The legislature also finds that alternative budgeting and evaluation processes may be used to ensure that the policies and goals established through the strategic planning process are implemented.

C. It is the purpose of this act to create a "New Mexico horizons task force" that shall recommend to the legislature and the governor a comprehensive strategic planning process for New Mexico, which shall involve all segments of New Mexico, including state and local government and individuals from the private and public sectors from the different geographic areas of the state.

Section 2. NEW MEXICO HORIZONS TASK FORCE--CREATION--TERMINATION.--The "New Mexico horizons task force" is created. The task force shall function from the date of its appointment until December 31 prior to the first session of the forty-seventh legislature.

Section 3. MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES.--

A. The New Mexico horizons task force shall be composed of twenty-two members appointed as follows:

(1) three members from the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, of whom no more than two shall be from the same party;

(2) three members from the senate, appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate, of whom no more than two shall be from the same party;

(3) four members appointed by the governor from the executive branch; and

(4) eight members of the public, of whom two shall be appointed by the speaker of the house, two shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and four shall be appointed by the governor. The speaker of the house, the president pro tempore of the senate and the governor shall coordinate their appointments of public members to ensure that the different geographical areas of the state are represented, that the members reflect diverse expertise in the private and public sectors, including public and private finance, business, education, government and public planning and administration, and that no more than four shall be from the same party.

B. The speaker of the house, the president pro tempore of the senate, the governor and the chief justice of the supreme court shall serve as ex-officio members.

C. The governor, in consultation with the speaker of the house and the president pro tempore of the senate, shall appoint the chair of the task force.

D. The public members of the task force shall be paid per diem and mileage in accordance with the provisions of the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

Section 4. DUTIES.--After their appointment, members of the New Mexico horizons task force shall develop a work plan and budget for the ensuing interim. The work plan and budget shall be submitted to the New Mexico legislative council for approval. Upon approval of the work plan and budget by the legislative council, the task force shall:

A. in cooperation with the governor's office of policy and planning, study and review strategic planning processes in other states and determine the value such processes would have in New Mexico;

B. recommend to the legislature and the governor a comprehensive strategic planning process for New Mexico that represents citizens of the state from all sectors of the economy and from all geographic areas of the state in the goal setting for the state;

C. in coordination with the legislative finance committee, the legislative education study committee and the department of finance and administration, review and assess how performance-based budgeting and other budgeting processes can be improved to better assist in the implementation of any strategic plan developed for the state; and

D. undertake other activities and make other recommendations related to strategic planning as deemed necessary by the New Mexico horizons task force.

Section 5. REPORT.--The New Mexico horizons task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the first session of the forty-seventh legislature. The report and suggested legislation shall be made available to the New Mexico legislative council and the governor on or before December 31 preceding that session.

Section 6. STAFF.--The staff for the New Mexico horizons task force shall be provided by the legislative council service, the legislative finance committee, the legislative education study committee, the governor's office and the department of finance and administration. Additionally, the legislative council service may contract at the direction of the task force for strategic planning assistance.

Section 7. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal years 2003 through 2005 for the purpose of paying the salaries, contracts and expenses of the technical, legal and clerical assistants used in carrying out the provisions of this act and for reimbursing the per diem and mileage expenses of the New Mexico horizons task force and the tax study committee. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund. Payments from the appropriation shall be made by warrant issued by the department of finance and administration upon vouchers signed by the director of the legislative council service or the director's authorized representative.

Section 8. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.