HOUSE MEMORIAL 56

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Raymundo Lara and Joy Garratt and Doreen Y. Gallegos

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONVENE A MEETING WITH COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES ALONG THE STATE'S BORDER WITH MEXICO TO STUDY THE BORDER DEVELOPMENT ACT AND TO DRAFT LEGISLATION THAT UPDATES THE BORDER DEVELOPMENT ACT TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT.

 

     WHEREAS, the Border Development Act was enacted in 1991, establishing the border authority to "encourage and foster development of the state, its cities and counties by developing port facilities at international ports of entry"; and

     WHEREAS, the Border Development Act has not been amended since 2011; and

     WHEREAS, since then, the United States economy has experienced development due to geopolitical shifts, global supply chain resets, climate change and a rapidly emerging electric vehicle industry; and

     WHEREAS, the border authority is currently administratively attached to the economic development department; and

     WHEREAS, administrative attachment to the economic development department may not provide the growth and visibility of this important initiative; and

     WHEREAS, the Border Development Act does not specify professional requirements for border authority membership, which may result in limited knowledge and skill sets in this niche area of government; and

     WHEREAS, the composition of the border authority should be amended to be more inclusive of both the executive and legislative branches; and

     WHEREAS, the border authority only reports to the New Mexico finance authority oversight committee regarding general border activities and annual budget requests; and

     WHEREAS, it would be beneficial for the border authority to report to other committees, such as the legislative finance committee; and

     WHEREAS, reporting requirements for state agencies provide oversight and transparency to the legislature and the public; and

     WHEREAS, the border authority is not authorized by statute to promulgate rules; and

     WHEREAS, the Border Development Act should be amended to address these issues and to reflect the current needs of the border authority;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico association of counties be requested to convene a meeting of counties and municipalities along the state's border with Mexico to study the Border Development Act, to draft legislation that updates the Border Development Act to increase transparency and accountability and to inform the state of the value of the border authority in overseeing economic and other growth along the border; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Border Development Act be updated through this proposed legislation to reflect the new economic circumstances of the authority; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this proposed legislation amend the composition of members of the border authority to include members from the legislature who will work with the governor's appointees; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the border authority regularly update its website and information about membership, projects, contracts, memoranda of agreement and discussions between the United States and Mexico, as appropriate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this proposed legislation be presented to the appropriate interim committees dealing with economic development and infrastructure during the 2024 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of the New Mexico association of counties.

- 4 -