SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 43

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Carroll H. Leavell

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR CREATE A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE THE FUNDING OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES DIVISION OF THE REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL DIVISION OF THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IN LIGHT OF THE EXTENSIVE GROWTH IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has identified economic development as a top priority; and

     WHEREAS, emphasis on economic development requires that the state be able to adequately support the industry growth resulting from such emphasis; and

     WHEREAS, the construction industry is one of the fastest- growing industries in New Mexico, making it a major economic driver in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the regulatory services provided to the construction industry by the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department and the labor and industrial division of the labor department are essential to sustaining that growth, to equitable practices in the industry and to the quality of construction in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the processes for funding the construction industries division and the labor and industrial division do not take into account the relationship between industry growth and funding;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to form a task force to study the relationship between funding and industry growth and make recommendations to the legislative finance committee and the department of finance and administration for means and methods of funding the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department and the labor and industrial division of the labor department that correspond to growth and other relevant changes in the construction industry; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider at a minimum whether the construction industries division should continue to be a division of the regulation and licensing department and how funding for these agencies can be structured with flexibility that will enable them to effectively respond to growth and declines in the construction industry, including whether enterprise funding is a viable method of accomplishing this goal; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor consider appointing to the task force a representative from each of the legislative finance committee, the department of finance and administration, the senate finance committee, the house appropriations and finance committee, the residential construction industry, the subcontracting industry, organized labor, the liquefied petroleum gas industry, a licensed and practicing electrical contractor, a licensed and practicing mechanical or plumbing contractor, a licensed and practicing architect, a licensed and practicing general contractor, the directors of the construction industries division and the labor and industrial division and a resident of the state who is not a licensed contractor or certified journeyman who shall represent the people of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor consider that the task force meet for the first time no later than March 1, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and make recommendations to the legislative finance committee and the department of finance and administration by August 1, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of economic development, the secretary of finance and administration, the secretary of labor, the superintendent of regulation and licensing and the governor.

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