RELATING TO STATE PARKS AND RECREATION; PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PARK FEE INCREASES; REINSTATING PREVIOUS PARK FEES.

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

Section 1. Section 16-2-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1935, Chapter 57, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:

"16-2-7. RULES.--

A. The secretary shall promulgate and adopt rules for each park as circumstances may demand.

The secretary shall offer:

(1) to residents of the state an annual overnight camping permit for a fee of not more than eighty-five dollars ($85.00) per vehicle, along with an extra vehicle permit for an additional five-dollar ($5.00) fee; and

(2) to nonresidents of the state an overnight camping permit allowing fourteen nights of camping for a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per vehicle, along with an extra vehicle permit for an additional five-dollar ($5.00) fee.

B. The secretary shall hold public hearings pursuant to Section 12-8-4 NMSA 1978 before instituting proposed changes in park visitor fees."

Section 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION.--No later than June 18, 1999, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources shall reinstate the park fees that were in effect immediately prior to December 31, 1998.

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of Section 1 of this act is June 19, 1999.