SENATE MEMORIAL 93

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

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF COMBINING THE ADMINISTRATION OF UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS INTO ONE STATE DEPARTMENT AND REQUESTING FEDERAL FACILITATION OF EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE ADMINISTRATION OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico suffers from chronic hunger problems and leads the nation with children living in food-insecure households, according to feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks; and

     WHEREAS, state-administered United States department of agriculture food distribution programs have been highly effective tools for addressing hunger, but bureaucratic complexity at times creates barriers to participation in these important programs; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico currently administers its United States department of agriculture food distribution programs through several different state agencies, including the public education department, the children, youth and families department and the human services department; and

     WHEREAS, reducing bureaucratic complexity could simplify application processes, facilitate appropriate data sharing among programs, reduce administrative costs and increase governmental efficiency;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the interim legislative health and human services committee be requested to study the feasibility of combining the administration of all state-administered food distribution programs, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the national school lunch program, the child and adult care food program, the school breakfast program, the summer food service program, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, the emergency food assistance program and others, into a single existing state department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to work with the United States department of agriculture to facilitate any efforts to streamline the administration of its food distribution programs within state agencies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the chair of the legislative health and human services committee, the secretary of public education, the secretary of children, youth and families and the secretary of human services.

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