SENATE BILL 108

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

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen





FOR THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE



AN ACT

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; CREATING THE OFFICE OF MEXICAN AFFAIRS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.



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

Section 1. OFFICE OF MEXICAN AFFAIRS--CREATED--ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT--POWERS AND DUTIES.--

A. The "office of Mexican affairs" is created in the office of the governor.

B. The head of the office of Mexican affairs is the "Mexican affairs officer". He shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The Mexican affairs officer shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

C. Within available appropriations, the Mexican affairs officer may appoint such other professional, technical and clerical assistants as necessary to carry out the duties of the office.

D. The office of Mexican affairs, under the direction of the governor, is primarily responsible for conducting the state's relations with the Republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua. To the extent allowed by law and necessary to ensure that common economic, political, cultural, health and safety and infrastructure issues with the Republic of Mexico and the state of Chihuahua are coordinated, the office shall direct or oversee the activities of the economic development department, the tourism department, the office of cultural affairs, the state highway and transportation department, the department of health, the department of environment, the department of public safety, the New Mexico border commission, the border authority and the joint border research institute at New Mexico state university as those activities relate to improving New Mexico-Mexico relations and trade and encouraging or funding appropriate border development.

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($325,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of the governor for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 for operations of the office of Mexican affairs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

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