HOUSE MEMORIAL 10

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

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A WORK GROUP TO DEVELOP AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO RAISE REVENUE FOR ROADS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

     WHEREAS, safe and well-maintained roads and transportation infrastructure are critical to New Mexico's residents and economy; and

     WHEREAS, currently, in addition to federal funding, the state's primary sources of revenue used to build, maintain and improve the state's roads and transportation infrastructure are gasoline and special fuels taxes; trucking weight and distance fees; and motor vehicle registration fees; and

     WHEREAS, the state's gasoline tax rate, currently seventeen cents ($.17) per gallon, has not changed since 1995 when it was decreased from twenty cents ($.20) per gallon; however, the cost of gasoline has increased dramatically in that time; and

     WHEREAS, the state's special fuels tax rate, currently twenty-one cents ($.21) per gallon, was last increased in 2004; and

     WHEREAS, the amount of federal transportation funding available to the state can vary by year depending on whether congress authorizes funding for states' transportation-related needs; and

     WHEREAS, the state's roads and transportation infrastructure continue to deteriorate more quickly than they can be replaced and repaired;

     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 convene a work group to identify and recommend additional potential sources of revenue for transportation needs and to develop and make recommendations on how to increase transportation revenue from current sources; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council invite representatives from the department of transportation, the legislature, tribal governments and local governments to serve as members of the work group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council name to the work group additional members whose expertise could contribute to the success of the work group's mission, as the New Mexico legislative council deems necessary; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work group provide a report of its recommendations to the interim revenue stabilization and tax policy committee by October 2013; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the secretary of transportation.

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