HOUSE BILL 96

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Dayan Hochman-Vigil

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO AEROSPACE; CREATING THE SPACE COMMISSION WORKING GROUP; PROVIDING DUTIES; REQUIRING A FINAL REPORT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--SPACE COMMISSION WORKING GROUP--CREATED--DUTIES--FINAL REPORT.--

          A. The "space commission working group" is created to study and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a space commission and drafting a proposal for the structure and scope of the space commission. The working group shall consist of:

                (1) one member appointed by the governor;

                (2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;

                (3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

                (4) two members to be appointed by majority vote of the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives.

          B. In making appointments to the space commission working group, prioritization shall be made for persons with experience in commercial aerospace, civil aviation, space economic development, space-related academic research and nonprofit work that supports the space economy.

          C. Appointment of members to the space commission working group shall be made by July 1, 2026. Members appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer. A vacancy shall be filled within thirty days after the vacancy occurs in the manner of the original appointment.

          D. The space commission working group shall elect a chair from its membership. The working group shall meet at the call of the chair or at the request of a majority of its members, as necessary to carry out its duties, but not less than once per month. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and the support of a majority of the members is required for adoption of any action.

          E. The space commission working group shall study

and develop a report of its recommendations regarding the establishment of a space commission, including:

                (1) the feasibility of establishing a space commission as the statewide authority for the aerospace industry;

                (2) the identification of key stakeholders currently involved in civil and commercial aerospace;

                (3) a strategic plan for the space commission that details its authority, scope of work and responsibilities, including educational and workforce pathways; and

                (4) the design for a board of directors for the space commission, including the composition of its members, structure, scope of work, responsibilities and budgetary requirements.

           F. By October 1, 2026, the space commission working group shall report its findings and recommendations to the interim legislative committee that studies economic development.

          G. Members of the space commission working group are entitled to receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance for their service on the working group.

          H. The economic development department shall

provide the necessary staff and administrative support to the

space commission working group, and the department may hire one staff member to support the space commission working group.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred thousand dollars

($200,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the

economic development department for expenditure in fiscal year 2027 to support the work of the space commission working group. Any unexpended balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.

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