SENATE BILL 585

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Stuart Ingle

AN ACT

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS; REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF MILITARY BASE PLANNING AND SUPPORT TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN ANALYSIS ASSESSING THE OVERALL STRENGTHS AND ADVANTAGES OF NEW MEXICO IN MEETING THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 9, Article 15 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] REPORT ON VALUE OF UNITED STATES MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN STATE--REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.--

          A. As used in this section:

                (1) "commission" means the military base planning commission;

                (2) "contractor" means the person whose proposal is accepted by the commission;

                (3) "office" means the office of military base planning and support; and

                (4) "report" means the comprehensive written study and analysis contracted for as provided in this section.

          B. The office shall solicit proposals through a request for proposals from prospective contractors interested in providing a study that assesses the overall strengths and advantages of New Mexico in meeting the strategic objectives of the United States department of defense. The request for proposals shall require a report that analyzes at least the following matters:

                (1) the alignment of New Mexico's military installations and communities with all of the criteria, especially the military value criteria, that were used in the 2005 defense base closure and realignment process as well as with criteria that will govern and inform future restructuring processes by the federal government;

                (2) how the following support and complement the strategic objectives of the United States department of defense:

                     (a) New Mexico's currently existing military installations, missions and industry;

                     (b) community support;

                     (c) geography;

                     (d) training opportunities;

                     (e) quality of life for service members and their families;

                     (f) educational institutions that include both kindergarten through twelfth grade and post-secondary education;

                     (g) civilian economy;

                     (h) transportation infrastructure;                        (i) technological capacities; and

                     (j) other factors;

                (3) the prior experience of the state in addressing the challenges from the United States base realignment and closure commission in 2005 or other past restructuring processes;

                (4) the alignment of New Mexico's military installations and communities with the four criteria that congress has mandated be used in the analytical process, to wit:

                     (a) the cost and savings of the United States base realignment and closure commission recommendations;

                     (b) the economic impact on the affected communities;

                     (c) the impact on the communities' infrastructure; and

                     (d) the environmental impact;

                (5) the data demonstrating the statewide impact of defense installations, missions and industry on New Mexico's economy;

                (6) the potential of existing defense installations, missions and industry and local communities in New Mexico to support realignment actions that will enhance national defense capability; and

                (7) such additional matters specified in the request for proposals as the office, in consultation with the commission, determines should be included in the report to promote the intent of this section.

          C. The contractor shall consolidate the analysis it undertakes of the items specified in Subsection B of this section as those items may be more fully specified in the request for proposals into a report supported by independently derived and verified information to be used as a tool for demonstrating to federal and state policymakers how military mission and defense industry retention and expansion and defense spending and investment in New Mexico best serves the United States department of defense in both national security and cost-effectiveness.

          D. The minimum qualifications for the contractor shall be specified in the request for proposals; provided that, at a minimum, the contractor shall:

                (1) be fully independent of the state, any political subdivision of the state and the United States department of defense, and the request for proposals shall provide greater specification concerning the manner in which the contractor satisfies the provisions of this paragraph in the request for proposals;

                (2) possess substantial experience analyzing military installation strengths and weaknesses and compatibility with military mission requirements;

                (3) possess substantial experience performing analysis based on the strategic plans of the United States department of defense; and

                (4) possess substantial experience analyzing the economic impact of defense installations, missions and industry.

          E. Not later than October 1, 2015, the office shall accept a proposal and award to the contractor a fully executed contract to prepare the report.

          F. As may be further specified in the request for proposals, in completing the report, the contractor may enter into a contract with one or more persons as necessary to fulfill any portion of the work required pursuant to the contract.

          G. The contractor shall complete the report no later than April 15, 2016.

          H. Upon completion of the report, the contractor shall provide copies of the report to the governor; the members of the commission and the director of the office; the secretary of economic development; the adjutant general of the department of military affairs; the directors of the legislative council service and legislative finance committee; and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation. Copies of the report shall be available to any appropriate legislative interim or standing committee and to individual legislators who request a copy. A copy of the report shall be filed with the legislative library and the state library.

          I. The office, in consultation with the commission, shall prepare the request for proposals, select the contractor and perform all other duties required by the provisions of this section or the Procurement Code.

          J. The office shall pursue federal grants and any other public or private gifts, grants and donations to carry out the provisions of this section."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of military base planning and support for expenditure in fiscal year 2016 to carry out the provisions of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016 shall revert to the general fund.

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