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

RELATING TO LAND GRANTS; CREATING A LAND GRANT COMMITTEE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. LAND GRANT COMMITTEE--CREATION--TERMINATION.--The "land grant committee" is created. The committee shall function from the date of its appointment until December 1 prior to the second session of the forty-sixth legislature.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES.--The land grant committee shall be composed of six members. The New Mexico legislative council shall appoint three members from the house of representatives and three members from the senate. At the time of making the appointments, the New Mexico legislative council shall designate the chair and vice chair of the committee. Members shall be appointed to give the two major political parties in each house the same proportionate representation on the committee as prevails in each house; provided, however, that in no event shall either of the parties have less than one member from each house on the committee. Members may be removed from the committee by the New Mexico legislative council at the request of the committee chair for nonattendance according to council policy. Vacancies on the committee, however caused, may be filled by the New Mexico legislative council, or the council may reduce the size of the committee by not making replacement appointments and in that case need not readjust party representation. No action shall be taken by the committee if a majority of the total membership from either house on the committee rejects the action.

Section 3. DUTIES--REPORT.--

A. After its appointment, the land grant committee shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan, budget and schedule of meetings for the ensuing interim. The work plan and budget shall be submitted to the New Mexico legislative council for approval.

B. Upon approval of the work plan and budget by the New Mexico legislative council, the land grant committee shall:

(1) study existing law regarding land grants and develop legislation to improve existing law;

(2) gather testimony from land grant heirs from across New Mexico to acquire an understanding of the issues and concerns facing them;

(3) gather testimony from other community groups and state agencies to understand the relationship between land grant heirs and other property owners in New Mexico; and

(4) work in conjunction with the Guadalupe Hidalgo task force.

C. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the second session of the forty-sixth legislature. The report and suggested legislation shall be made available to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 15 preceding the session.

Section 4. STAFF.--The staff for the land grant committee shall be provided by the legislative council service.

Section 5. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal year 2003 for the purpose of paying the salaries and expenses of technical, legal and clerical staff; for purchasing equipment and supplies; and for reimbursing the per diem and mileage expenses of the land grant committee members pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.