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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Tourism Department

Office of Indian Affairs

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The bill would appropriate $150.0 general fund in FY2000 to the Tourism Department to promote the intertribal Indian ceremonial association (IICA), located in Gallup, pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-15A-7.1 NMSA 1978, which assigns to the Tourism Department cabinet secretary the duty of promoting the IICA, incorporated, located in Gallup. Unexpended balances would revert at the end of FY2000.

Significant Issues

The Tourism Department's comments on this bill do not indicate whether that agency is fulfilling its statutory responsibilities with regard to the IICA. In any case, this bill would expand the department's activity with regard to the association.

According to the Office of Indian Affairs, the IICA hosts an annual ceremonial of Indian dances throughout the course of the year. Many of the events occur during the spring and summer months. These events have been a part of Gallup for a number of decades. Until recently, the IICA had direct funding as a state agency, but it is now an independent association. Therefore, most of its funds come from a lodger's tax in the City of Gallup and from admission prices for events. According to Lloyd Coleson, executive director of the IICA, last year, the tax netted about $20.0 and the admissions allowed them to cover their costs for each event. Mr. Coleson also said that no other funds are allocated to the IICA from other government sources.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

• What programs does the Tourism Department currently operate to fulfill its statutory responsibilities with regard to the intertribal Indian ceremonial association?

DSH/gm