HOUSE BILL 59

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Dona G. Irwin

AN ACT

RELATING TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS; CREATING THE NEW MEXICO COIN COMMISSION TO ASSIST THE GOVERNOR IN SELECTING THE DESIGNS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES MINT FOR THE NEW MEXICO STATE QUARTER FOR THE FIFTY STATES' COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--NEW MEXICO COIN COMMISSION CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--POWERS AND DUTIES--CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO STAFF.--

          A. The "New Mexico coin commission" is created to assist the governor in selecting the designs to be submitted to the United States mint for the New Mexico state quarter for the fifty states' commemorative coin program. The commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor. When making the appointments, the governor shall take into account the geographic distribution of the members. Members serve at the pleasure of the governor. The commission shall function until the United States mint has selected the design for the New Mexico quarter, but no later than July 1, 2008. Members are entitled to per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act, and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

          B. The cultural affairs department shall provide staff support to the commission.

          C. The commission shall solicit and consider design proposals for the New Mexico quarter. Members of the commission and their family members may not submit design proposals.

          D. The commission shall select no fewer than three and no more than five designs and submit them to the governor for approval. The governor shall submit the approved designs to the United States mint, along with material explaining the designs and why they are representative of the state.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the cultural affairs department for expenditure in fiscal years 2006 through 2008 to pay costs associated with the New Mexico coin commission. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.

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