SENATE BILL 353

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Ben D. Altamirano

AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS; CREATING THE OFFICE OF HISPANIC AFFAIRS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Hispanic Affairs Act".

     Section 2. OFFICE CREATED--POWERS AND DUTIES.--

          A. The "office of Hispanic affairs" is created and is administratively attached to the human services department.

          B. The governor shall appoint a director, who shall work at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall employ other necessary employees, who shall be subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act.

          C. The office shall:

                (1) study issues important to Hispanics, including history and culture; education, scholarships and other financial assistance for education and career development; economic and social issues concerning jobs, housing, discrimination, youth, family support and crime; and health care, maternal and child health, teen pregnancy and health care coverage and access;

                (2) secure recognition of Hispanics' accomplishments and contributions to New Mexico and the United States;

                 (3) cooperate with and assist public and private entities dealing with issues important to Hispanics;

                (4) where appropriate, conduct periodic conferences throughout the state to:

                     (a) inform Hispanics of the opportunities available to them through public and private sources;

                     (b) encourage Hispanics to share their history and culture with other New Mexicans;

                     (c) ensure participation by Hispanics in the social and political processes of their communities; and

                     (d) provide a forum for discussion of issues affecting the Hispanic community; and

                (5) otherwise act as an advocate for Hispanic residents of New Mexico.

          D. Additionally, the office shall:

                (1) act as a clearinghouse for information important to the Hispanic community;

                (2) function as the coordinating office for all services and activities of state agencies and programs pertaining to Hispanics;

                (3) encourage funding and implementation of education and training programs for Hispanics;

                (4) promote and develop programs about community resources designed to meet the needs of Hispanics;

                (5) prepare and submit a budget for the office; and

                (6) publish an annual report on the activities and services of the office.

          E. The office may:

                (1) adopt and promulgate rules pursuant to the State Rules Act to carry out the duties of the office;

                (2) accept gifts, grants, donations, bequests and devises from any source to be used to carry out its duties; and

                (3) enter into contracts.

     Section 3. FUND CREATED--ADMINISTRATION.--The "office of Hispanic affairs fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and bequests. Money in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall revert to the general fund. The fund shall be administered by the office of Hispanic affairs, and disbursements from the fund shall be made on warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the director of the office or the director's authorized representative.

     Section 4. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of Hispanic affairs fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2006 and subsequent fiscal years to pay the costs of establishing the office, hiring staff and carrying out the provisions of the Hispanic Affairs Act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall revert to the general fund.

- 4 -