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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO

REVIEW THE STATE'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE

FEDERAL MINERAL LANDS LEASING ACT AND USE OF REVENUE ACCRUING

TO THE STATE PURSUANT TO THAT ACT.

WHEREAS, Title 30, Section 191 of the federal Mineral

Lands Leasing Act requires the treasury of the United States

to distribute to New Mexico fifty percent of the money

received from sales, bonuses and royalties collected under the

Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act and the federal

Geothermal Steam Act attributable to lands and mineral

deposits in the state; and

WHEREAS, Title 30, Section 191 of the federal Mineral

Lands Leasing Act states that the money paid to the state is

to be used by the state and its political subdivisions as

directed by the legislature, giving priority to those

subdivisions of the state socially or economically impacted by

development of minerals leased under that act for planning,

for construction and maintenance of public facilities and for

the provision of public service; and

WHEREAS, a question has arisen as to whether the state

is complying with federal law in its distribution of money

received pursuant to the federal Mineral Lands Leasing Act;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

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REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the

appropriate interim legislative committee review the state's

compliance with the provisions of the federal Mineral Lands

Leasing Act and use of revenue accruing to the state pursuant

to that act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee develop and

propose legislation to the second session of the forty-eighth

legislature that will ensure state compliance with the federal

Mineral Lands Leasing Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council.