HOUSE MEMORIAL 73

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

INTRODUCED BY

Rod Montoya

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 of 1982 and the federal Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 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 that are socially or economically affected 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 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the appropriate interim legislative committee be requested 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; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be requested to develop and propose legislation to the second session of the fifty-second legislature that will ensure state compliance with the federal Mineral Lands Leasing Act; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council.

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