FIFTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE
FIRST SESSION, 2021
March 1, 2021
Mr. Speaker:
Your STATE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS AND INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred
HOUSE ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 265
has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation that it DO PASS, amended as follows:
1. On page 1, line 14, after the semicolon, insert "AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF GRANTS TO POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF OPEN SPACES AND NATURAL AREAS THAT ARE UNIQUE AND ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT LANDS;".
2. On page 6, line 12, strike "assign responsibility for management of" and insert in lieu thereof "transfer management responsibility for".
3. On page 6, line 19, after "state", insert "; provided that the state agency or corporation consents to assuming management responsibility".
4. On page 8, between lines 7 and 8, insert the following new section:
"SECTION 7. A new section of the Natural Lands Protection Act is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] POLITICAL SUBDIVISION PARTICIPATION--GRANTS.--The secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources may award grants to political subdivisions of the state from the natural lands and heritage conservation fund for a political subdivision to acquire and protect open spaces and natural areas that are unique and ecologically significant lands. Grants shall be made on recommendation of the committee, in consideration of the factors enumerated in Subsection G of Section 75-5-4 NMSA 1978. The secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, in consultation with the committee, shall establish a competitive application process and may establish additional criteria and priorities for grants pursuant to this section."".
5. On pages 9 and 10, strike Section 9 in its entirety.
6. On page 11, line 2, strike "acquire" and insert in lieu thereof "fund the acquisition of".
7. Renumber sections to correspond to these amendments.,
Respectfully submitted,
Georgene Louis, Chair
Adopted Not Adopted
(Chief Clerk) (Chief Clerk)
Date
The roll call vote was 5 For 3 Against
Yes: 5
No: Nibert, Rehm, Zamora
Excused: Chasey
Absent: None
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