HOUSE MEMORIAL 35

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY TO STUDY PROPOSALS FOR FLEET PURCHASING OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FACILITY CONSTRUCTION FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL.

     WHEREAS, the health and safety of New Mexicans is vital; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a large state with an area of one hundred twenty-one thousand square miles; and

     WHEREAS, many of the cities and counties of the state operate emergency services, including ambulance and firefighting services; and

     WHEREAS, the operation and maintenance of emergency service vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, is a major expense for New Mexico communities, one that is expected to increase; and

     WHEREAS, several public funding sources for the purchase of ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles exist, but those sources could be used more efficiently; and

     WHEREAS, fleet purchasing of emergency vehicles could result in cost savings of up to twenty percent per emergency vehicle; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico finance authority is required by law to coordinate, plan and provide for needs assessments of public projects; and

     WHEREAS, the office of the homeland security advisor has the knowledge base necessary to assess the needs that might arise in the event of a mass disaster;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico finance authority be requested to study proposals for fleet purchasing of emergency vehicles, facility construction for those vehicles and additional emergency service personnel; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the homeland security advisor be requested to provide technical assistance to the New Mexico finance authority with respect to the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico finance authority be requested to report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative interim committee by September 1, 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico finance authority be requested to submit two copies of its report to the legislative council service library; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the New Mexico finance authority.

- 3 -