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A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE

APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE STATE'S ABILITY TO

RESPOND ADEQUATELY TO SEVERE WEATHER.

WHEREAS, New Mexicans endured severe flooding and

snowstorms in the last several months, and it is certain that

similarly severe weather events will occur in the future; and

WHEREAS, while in most cases state and local public

safety, public works and public health agencies responded well

to those severe weather events, it was apparent that a lack of

preparation, poor communication, inadequate interagency and

intergovernmental coordination, and other shortcomings

hindered the response; and

WHEREAS, government's fundamental responsibility is to

ensure the public's safety; and

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that New Mexicans

and visitors to the state are timely and accurately informed

about changing weather and environmental conditions, properly

directed to safety, appropriately instructed about action to

take and, if necessary, provided appropriate and timely aid

and comfort;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be

requested to direct the appropriate interim committee to study

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and take testimony on the ability of state and local

governmental agencies to adequately respond to severe weather

and make recommendations to the second session of the forty-

eighth legislature on how to improve that response; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

delivered to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative

council.