NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Office of Indian Affairs

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 372 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs to facilitate quarterly strategic summits on mutual issues between the tribes and the State of New Mexico.

Significant Issues

According to the Office of Indian Affairs, Senate Bill 372 would provide necessary funds to the Office of Indian Affairs to coordinate and facilitate quarterly summits. The summits would provide a forum to discuss issues of mutual concern to the tribes and the State of New Mexico. The state-tribal meetings are conducted in an effort to implement procedures outlined in the Government-to-Government Policy Agreement signed by the tribes and the state in 1996. The purpose of the agreement is to pursue methods to resolve issues of concern including education, taxation, law enforcement, and highway easement and rights-of-way.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation from the general fund in Senate Bill 372 is for expenditure in fiscal year 2001. Unexpended or unencumbered balances remaining at the end of the fiscal year revers to the general fund.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

• Are other state agencies and the tribes involved in the summits contributing to the administrative costs of organizing the meetings? If so, to what extent?



• How many summits have been held to date and what has expired as a result of the sessions?




LMK/njw