RELATING TO THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO; ESTABLISHING A DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RELATING TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 8, Article 5 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"GUADALUPE HIDALGO TREATY DEPARTMENT.--

A. The "Guadalupe Hidalgo department" is created within the office of the attorney general. The department shall review, oversee and address concerns relating to the provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that have not been implemented or observed in the spirit of Article 2, Section 5 of the constitution of New Mexico and Section

47-1-25 NMSA 1978.

B. The department shall consist of such personnel and have such duties as the attorney general shall designate.

C. The department may contract with appropriate qualified researchers and legal support that the attorney general's office determines are necessary.

D. The attorney general shall seek compliance of the federal government with the provisions and rights provided in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

E. The attorney general shall report the findings and recommendations of the department to the first session of the forty-fifth legislature."

Section 2. DELAYED REPEAL.--Section 1 of this act is repealed January 1, 2001.

HB 261

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