RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY; AUTHORIZING THE PROPERTY CONTROL DIVISION OF THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO NEGOTIATE AND PURCHASE CERTAIN PROPERTY; MAKING A TEMPORARY TRANSFER FROM THE CAPITOL BUILDINGS REPAIR FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.--

A. The legislature finds that housing state agencies in buildings owned by the state results in significant recurring savings in agency operating budgets and that co-locating offices provides greater accessibility to the public served by state agencies. The legislature further finds that the property control division of the general services department and the capitol buildings planning commission have been researching potential property purchases that would enhance the initiative to guide future building projects at the central capitol complex and elsewhere and have identified two residences on Don Gaspar in the area of the central capitol complex for potential purchase.

B. The purpose of this act is to provide a mechanism for the negotiation and possible acquisition of the two residences by a temporary distribution of the income from the lands granted for the legislative, executive and judicial public buildings.

Section 2. PROPERTY CONTROL DIVISION--ADDITIONAL DUTIES--APPROPRIATION.--

A. The property control division of the general services department shall:

(1) negotiate, on behalf of the state, for the purchase of two residences on Don Gaspar in the area of the central capitol complex in Santa Fe; and

(2) upon completion of successful negotiations, certify to the secretary of finance and administration that the negotiations have been successful and that the purchase price agreed to is no higher than the appraised value.

B. Upon approval by the secretary of finance and administration that a purchase price agreed to pursuant to Subsection A of this section is not higher than the appraised value, so much of the property control reserve fund as is necessary to effectuate the purchase is appropriated to the property control division of the general services department for the purchase.

Section 3. TRANSFER.--Upon the approval pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of Section 2 of this act, that portion of the uncommitted balance in the capitol buildings repair fund necessary to comply with Section 2 of this act shall be transferred to the property control reserve fund. It is the intent of the legislature that the amount transferred shall be restored to the capitol buildings repair fund.

Section 4. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

HB 853

Page 3