SENATE MEMORIAL 69

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY STATE PARK AND RELATED FEES.

     WHEREAS, state parks protect important natural and cultural resources and provide significant outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for New Mexicans and visitors; and

     WHEREAS, providing reasonable and affordable access to state parks and outdoor recreation opportunities to New Mexicans and visitors is beneficial and helps increase state park visitation and quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, state parks are a significant part of the outdoor recreation economy statewide; and

     WHEREAS, state parks are local, regional and statewide economic drivers in urban and rural communities; and

     WHEREAS, state parks support public health initiatives by engaging visitors in the outdoors and promoting healthy lifestyles; and

     WHEREAS, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources has rulemaking authority related to state park fees under Section 16-2-7 NMSA 1978; and

     WHEREAS, the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department is currently budgeted at approximately seventy-five percent from self-generated revenues that include state park fees and twenty-five percent from the general fund; and

     WHEREAS, state parks division fees currently provide a significant percentage of the funding of the operations and management of state parks; and

     WHEREAS, state park fee collections, verification, accounting and reporting require a great deal of staff time and significantly impact the operations of state parks; and

     WHEREAS, the state would benefit from a review of state park and related fees to evaluate additional strategies for providing affordable access to all New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, an evaluation of state park fees should also review options for providing potential opportunities of free access to state parks;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to undertake a study of the state park and related fee structure to determine opportunities and options to better manage for reasonable and affordable state park access to residents and non-residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committees by November 1, 2019; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources and the director of the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

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