SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 67

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Cisco McSorley

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION WORK WITH THE NEW MEXICO OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHER APPROPRIATE STATE AGENCIES ON STREAMLINING THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS FOR PROJECTS IN INDIAN NATIONS, TRIBES AND PUEBLOS.

     WHEREAS, the legislature partially funds capital projects, including projects in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos, which results in partial development and compromised quality;

     WHEREAS, many capital projects in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos linger for years without completion and may need a new capital request or to be reauthorized; and

     WHEREAS, because of partial funding and lack of project readiness, many capital projects in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos cannot be implemented within the requisite time frame; and

     WHEREAS, a reliable reporting system to allow the continuous tracking of capital project status does not exist, which contributes to a low project completion rate in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos; and

     WHEREAS, boiler plate forms and training in scopes of work and joint powers agreements may streamline and expedite the capital outlay process for projects in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of the attorney general collaborate with the New Mexico office of Indian affairs on developing boiler plate forms to include scopes of work and joint powers agreements; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico office of Indian affairs collaborate with the department of environment, the department of transportation and the office of cultural affairs on providing archaeological clearances and environmental assessments before beginning construction on roads and buildings in Indian nations, tribes and pueblos; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor work with the Navajo Nation to negotiate means by which small contracts may be completed through direct cooperation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico office of Indian affairs and the office of the attorney general work with Indian nations, tribes and pueblos to develop a standard method for determining indigency to allow power projects in the communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of finance and administration establish a uniform tracking system in the state, including boiler plate forms, processes and tracking and a method for automatically transmitting data from the fiscal agent to the legislative finance committee, the legislative council service, the department of finance and administration and to other parties requiring information about a capital project's status; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico office of Indian affairs hold subject matter meetings detailing scopes of work and joint powers agreements for specific capital project categories; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Indian nations, tribes and pueblos be encouraged to authorize one contractor for several similar capital projects; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of finance and administration, the legislative finance committee, the New Mexico office of Indian affairs, the office of the attorney general and the transportation and community development committee of the Navajo Nation council.

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