SENATE BILL 471

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

AN ACT

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; CREATING THE NEW MEXICO RODEO COUNCIL; ATTACHING THE NEW MEXICO RODEO COUNCIL TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING DUTIES OF AND AUTHORITY TO THE NEW MEXICO RODEO COUNCIL.

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

     Section 1. NEW MEXICO RODEO COUNCIL CREATED--PURPOSE--ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT--MEMBERSHIP--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES.--

          A. The "New Mexico rodeo council" is created as a governmental entity. The council's purpose is to advise the economic development department, the governor and the legislature regarding rodeo, equestrian and livestock education, events, facilities and citizen participation in rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities and to establish policy regarding economic development related to rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities and operations, including the expenditure of money appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of this section. The council is administratively attached to the economic development department pursuant to the Executive Reorganization Act, and that department shall staff the council, including the provision of budgeting, in-house legal counsel, recordkeeping and related administrative and clerical assistance to the council.

          B. The New Mexico rodeo council consists of seven members, who shall be qualified electors of the state, no more than four of whom shall be of the same political party at the time of their appointment, and they shall be considered persons acting on behalf of or in service to the council. Each member shall have experience in rodeo, equestrian or livestock activities, as a contestant or business owner. The members shall be appointed by the governor, two from each congressional district and one at large, and confirmed by the senate. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

          C. New Mexico rodeo council member appointments shall be made for six-year terms expiring on January 1 of the appropriate year. Members shall serve staggered terms as determined by the governor at the time of their initial appointment. Vacancies shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term, but the appointee is subject to approval by the senate when it next convenes. Annually, the governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair of the council from among the members.

          D. New Mexico rodeo council members shall not vote by proxy. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for the council to conduct business.

          E. The New Mexico rodeo council shall meet, pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, at the call of the chair, not less than once a quarter and shall invite representatives of appropriate legislative committees, other state agencies and interested persons to its meetings for the purpose of information exchange and coordination.

          F. New Mexico rodeo council members shall not be paid but shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

          G. The New Mexico rodeo council shall:

                (1) study and advise how the state can best develop and support the sport of rodeo, equestrian sports and livestock enterprises at the junior, high school, college and professional levels;

                (2) promote and attract competitive rodeo, equestrian and livestock events for the state;

                (3) provide information to rodeo, equestrian and livestock event participants, fans and promoters regarding rodeo, equestrian and livestock events and programs throughout the state;

                (4) provide policy direction and have approval authority for the expenditure of money appropriated by the legislature for the:

                     (a) planning, design, construction and operation of state-owned rodeo, equestrian or livestock facilities, including making final decisions in procurement actions for the planning, design, construction and operation of those facilities; and

                     (b) monetary support of state-operated rodeo, equestrian or livestock activities;

                (5) enter into agreements as appropriate, including agreements under the Joint Powers Agreements Act, with other state agencies or local public bodies for the council's use of money and services for rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities and facilities that meet the purposes of this section;

                (6) enter into grant agreements as appropriate with other state agencies or local public bodies for those entities to use money appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of this section, including support for local rodeo, equestrian and livestock events and activities and improvements to publicly owned rodeo, equestrian and livestock facilities;

                (7) to help achieve the purposes of this section, procure as appropriate or necessary rodeo, equestrian and livestock goods and services, including the presentation or conduct of rodeo, equestrian and livestock events, pursuant to the Procurement Code when applicable; and

                (8) promulgate rules to achieve the purposes of this section that shall:

                     (a) encourage and promote economic development through rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities and facilities;

                     (b) honor New Mexico's cultural heritage in rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities;

                     (c) promote educational opportunities related to rodeo, equestrian and livestock activities;

                     (d) establish application and use requirements for monetary support and grants made by the council, including fiscal controls and audit review; and

                     (e) be promulgated in the same procedural manner as rules of the economic development department are adopted and be filed in accordance with the State Rules Act.

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2009.

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