AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING THE NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN CARLSBAD.

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

Section 1. NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST RESEARCH INSTITUTE CREATED--PURPOSE.--

A. The "national cave and karst research institute" is created in Carlsbad and shall be a division of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology.

B. The purposes of the institute are to:

(1) further the science of speleology;

(2) centralize and standardize speleological information;

(3) foster interdisciplinary cooperation in cave and karst research programs;

(4) promote public education;

(5) promote national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for the benefit of cave and karst land forms; and

(6) promote and develop environmentally sound and sustainable resource management practices.

C. The board of regents of New Mexico institute of mining and technology shall prepare reports showing the progress and condition of the institute as the board deems necessary. The reports of the institute may be printed and distributed by the board as appropriate, and revenue from the sale of the reports shall be paid into the account of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology.

D. The institute may receive appropriations from the legislature through the board of regents of New Mexico institute of mining and technology and may receive any other items of value from public or private sources.

HB 436

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