A JOINT MEMORIAL

DIRECTING STATE AGENCIES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW ON SUBMITTING MATERIAL AND REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE AND REQUESTING STATE AGENCIES TO MAKE AVAILABLE ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF REPORTS WHEN FEASIBLE.

     WHEREAS, current state law, Section 2-3-14.1 NMSA 1978, prohibits state agencies from sending any material longer than five pages to a member of the legislature, except in certain cases; and

     WHEREAS, that same law requires state agencies to file two copies of their reports to the legislature with the legislative council service; and

     WHEREAS, too many state agencies are not complying with these requirements and do not appear to be using the most economical method of binding and packaging agency reports as the law requires; and

     WHEREAS, these reports contain useful and valuable information that should be readily accessible to members of the legislature, state officials, state employees and the general public; and

     WHEREAS, these reports should also be available over the internet in electronic formats on agency web sites whenever possible; and

     WHEREAS, state agencies can electronically notify members of the legislature and the legislative council service library of the availability of their reports on agency web sites;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that each state agency be directed to comply with all the provisions of Section 2-3-14.1 NMSA 1978; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to electronically notify the legislative council service library and members of the legislature when agency reports become available on-line and provide instructions on how to access the reports; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the governor and to the executive head of each state agency.