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

RELATING TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL; PROVIDING A GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; CREATING A FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL CREATED--GRANT PROGRAM.--

A. The "next generation council" is created. The council shall consist of fifteen members with experience in youth development who are appointed so as to provide geographic diversity. Ten adult members shall be appointed to four-year terms and five student members shall be appointed to two-year terms by the following appointing authorities as follows:

(1) one adult and one student enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution shall be appointed by the governor;

(2) one adult and one high school student shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate;

(3) one adult and one student enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution shall be appointed by the commission on higher education;

(4) one adult and one high school student shall be appointed by the secretary of health;

(5) one adult and one high school student shall be appointed by the state board of education; and

(6) five adults shall be appointed by the children, youth and families department upon the recommendation of the New Mexico community foundation.

B. The children, youth and families department, with the assistance of the next generation council, shall establish a program to provide grant assistance through a competitive proposal process to communities, public schools, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary educational institutions for youth development programs and activities. Priority shall be given to proposals that involve youth in positive physical and mental health activities, promote community service, leadership and citizenship or provide training and assistance to youth workers in the area of youth development.

Section 2. NEXT GENERATION FUND--CREATED--PURPOSE--ADMINISTRATION.--The "next generation fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund includes appropriations, income from investment of the fund, gifts, grants, donations and bequests. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year. The fund shall be administered by the children, youth and families department, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to fund youth development programs and activities for youths from five through twenty years of age throughout the state. Expenditures from the fund shall be on warrants of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of children, youth and families or his authorized representative. No more than three percent of the money in the fund in any fiscal year shall be used by the department for administrative purposes.

Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--Two million dollars ($2,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the next generation fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the purposes of the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.