HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 8

44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

INTRODUCED BY

John A. Heaton

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO PREPARE LEGISLATION TO REORGANIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

WHEREAS, environmental quality is critical to public welfare and the economy of the state; and

WHEREAS, federal environmental laws reflect the nation's prioritization of clean water, clean air and responsible economic development commensurate with environmental quality; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico exercises primacy in administration of federal environmental policies; and

WHEREAS, the department of environment is the state's environmental regulatory agency and is responsible for processing permits for a variety of industries to conduct their business; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks fiftieth in per capita income, making it the poorest of all the states; and

WHEREAS, business is the source of personal income and tax revenues essential to funding environmental quality; and

WHEREAS, many businesses have been unable to expand, open new facilities or hire new employees as a result of delays by the department of environment in the processing of required permits for business operations; and

WHEREAS, efficient and effective enforcement of environmental policies is essential to the state's economy and to its environmental quality;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative council direct the appropriate committee to study the reorganization of environmental enforcement, including the restructuring of the department of environment and its functions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate committee prepare legislation for reorganization of environmental authorities and present the legislation and its recommendations to the legislative finance committee and the legislative council by November 30, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative council, the governor and the secretary of environment.