HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 672

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; CREATING THE TRANSPORTATION FINANCING COMMITTEE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. TRANSPORTATION FINANCING COMMITTEE CREATED--MEMBERS--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES--DUTIES--MEETINGS--REPORTS--STAFF.--

          A. The "transportation financing committee", a joint interim legislative committee, is created. The committee is terminated on June 30, 2014.

          B. The committee shall be composed of twelve members as follows:

                (1) the speaker of the house of representatives;

                (2) the president pro tempore of the senate;

                (3) the majority and minority floor leaders of each chamber of the legislature, or their designees;

                (4) the chair of the standing committee of the house of representatives concerning transportation issues, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

                (5) the chair of the standing committee of the senate concerning transportation issues, appointed by the senate committees' committee or, if the appointment is made in the interim, by the president pro tempore of the senate after consultation with and agreement of a majority of the members of the committees' committee;

                (6) two additional members of the house of representatives, one from the majority party and one from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided, however, that the minority member shall be appointed by the speaker only from a recommendation made by the minority floor leader, although the speaker shall retain the right to reject any such recommendation; and

                (7) two additional members of the senate, one from the majority party and one from the minority party, appointed by the senate committees' committee or, if the appointment is made in the interim, by the president pro tempore of the senate after consultation with and agreement of a majority of the members of the committees' committee.

          C. The speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall ensure that the members appointed to the committee represent the geographic diversity of the state, and that at least one member appointed to the committee is a member of an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo.

          D. A vacancy on the committee shall be filled by the respective appointing authority that makes the original appointment and shall be subject to the same recommendations.           E. The transportation financing committee shall:

                (1) examine and work to implement revenue strategies that manage, reduce and shift demands on roads and public transportation;

                (2) consider revenue alternatives and long-term revenue replacements to shift from motor fuel taxes;

                (3) review all current and potential distribution of road user revenues;

                (4) examine the utility and mechanisms of partnership projects;

                (5) examine freight-specific strategies, including financing options; and

                (6) review other options to identify new transportation financing strategies for the state, as determined by the committee.

          F. In fulfilling the duties outlined in Subsection E of this section, the committee shall take testimony from persons and organizations, including those with expertise in transportation financing, bonding and construction of transportation infrastructure. The committee shall also take testimony from members of the community, including those concerned about the impact of transportation projects, the effects of motor fuel taxation and the development of transportation infrastructure. The committee shall ensure that it hears testimony from representatives of New Mexico's Indian nations, tribes and pueblos.

          G. The transportation financing committee shall meet regularly and shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the legislature. The report and suggested legislation shall be made available to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 15 preceding the legislative session.

          H. The legislative council service shall provide staff for the committee.

     SECTION 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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