44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 1999

RELATING TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION TRUST FUND AND DEPOSITING A PORTION OF TOBACCO SETTLEMENT REVENUES INTO THE FUND; ESTABLISHING THE NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL; ESTABLISHING A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. TOBACCO SETTLEMENT REVENUES--DISTRIBUTION.--The state treasurer shall distribute to the next generation trust fund ten percent of every amount distributed to the state pursuant to the master settlement agreement entered into between tobacco product manufacturers and the various states, including New Mexico, and executed November 23, 1998 or transferred to the state from a qualified escrow fund authorized by a qualifying state statute enacted pursuant to the master settlement agreement.

Section 2. NEXT GENERATION TRUST FUND CREATED--REVENUES--INCOME DISTRIBUTION.--The "next generation trust fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money transferred to the fund from distributions to the state pursuant to the master settlement agreement entered into between tobacco product manufacturers and the various states, including New Mexico, and executed November 23, 1998 or transferred to the state from a qualified escrow fund authorized by a qualifying state statute enacted pursuant to the master settlement agreement. Money in the fund shall be invested by the state investment officer as land grant permanent funds are invested pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 8 NMSA 1978. Money in the fund shall not be expended for any purpose. Income earned from investment of the next generation trust fund shall be distributed annually to the youth development fund.

Section 3. NEXT GENERATION COUNCIL CREATED--GRANT PROGRAM--YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND CREATED.--

A. The "next generation council" is created. The council shall consist of fifteen members with experience in youth development who are appointed so as to provide geographic diversity. Ten adult members shall be appointed to four-year terms and five student members shall be appointed to two-year terms by the following appointing authorities as follows:

(1) one adult and one student enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution shall be appointed by the governor;

(2) one adult and one high school student shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and president pro tempore of the senate;

(3) one adult and one student enrolled at a post-secondary educational institution shall be appointed by the commission on higher education;

(4) one adult and high school student shall be appointed by the secretary of health;

(5) one adult and one high school student shall be appointed by the state board of education; and

(6) five adults shall be appointed by the state board of education upon the recommendation of the New Mexico community foundation.

B. The "youth development fund" is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the state department of public education. The fund shall consist of income from the next generation trust fund and any money from any other public or private source distributed to or deposited in the fund. Money in the youth development fund is appropriated to the state department of public education for the purpose of funding youth development programs and activities for youth from ages five through twenty throughout rural and urban New Mexico. Balances in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

C. The state department of public education with the assistance of the next generation council shall establish a program to provide grant assistance through a competitive proposal process to communities, public schools, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary educational institutions for youth development programs and activities. Priority shall be given to proposals that involve youth in positive physical and mental health activities, promote community service, leadership and citizenship or provide training and assistance to youth workers in the area of youth development.

D. The next generation council shall advise the state department of public education on youth policies and review and approve proposals for grant assistance.

E. Not more than three percent of the money distributed to the fund in any fiscal year shall be used by the state department of public education for administrative purposes.