HOUSE MEMORIAL 67

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CURRENT RECORDKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEM IN USE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS AND TO REPORT THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FORTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's state lands comprise more than thirteen million mineral acres and nine million surface acres; and

     WHEREAS, the state lands have proven to be rich in minerals, primarily oil and gas, that have enriched the land grant permanent funds and the land grant beneficiaries; and

     WHEREAS, many acres of state land are near urban areas and have the potential for revenue and economic development; and

     WHEREAS, it is essential that the commissioner of public lands be able to locate and expediently track all leases and contracts relating to state lands and all revenues received pursuant to leases, trades and other contracts; and

     WHEREAS, since 1990, the state land office has had the oil and natural gas administration and revenue database system to classify accounts and generate reports; and

     WHEREAS, a nineteen-year-old computer system may no longer be sufficient for meeting all the needs of the state land office; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico needs to be assured that the needs of the state land office for an efficient recordkeeping and account tracking system are met;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to assign the appropriate interim legislative committee to study the current recordkeeping and accounting systems of the commissioner of public lands; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state auditor, the attorney general, the economic development department and the commissioner of public lands or their representatives be requested to assist the interim legislative committee in the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interim legislative committee report its findings and recommendations to the second session of the forty-ninth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council, the state auditor, the attorney general, the economic development department and the commissioner of public lands.

- 3 -