HOUSE MEMORIAL 88

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, STATE LAND OFFICE AND ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO FORM A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OFF-ROAD RECREATIONAL ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE USAGE AS A CATALYST FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, tourism is a vital component of New Mexico's economic development strategy, and off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage is one of the fastest growing segments of the adventure tourism market; and

     WHEREAS, adventure travelers spend significant amounts of money on overnight visits, which help to support innumerable small businesses and create thousands of jobs; and

     WHEREAS, the economic impact of off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage in New Mexico is significant and includes out-of-state visitors who travel to and stay in New Mexico to participate in off-road recreational vehicle activities as well as direct spending in the region by all visitors to these events;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the tourism department, economic development department, state land office and energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to form a task force to study off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage as a catalyst for adventure tourism and economic development in New Mexico and study the feasibility of creating an expanded trail system in New Mexico for off-road recreational all-terrain vehicles; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to review any relevant topic related to off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage, including:

          A. current off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage in New Mexico and projections for increased usage;

          B. the current availability of commercial and publicly owned sites where off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle usage is allowed;

          C. the economic impact of off-road recreational vehicle usage in New Mexico, including estimates of the numbers of out-of-state visitors who travel to New Mexico to participate in off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle activities, estimates of direct spending in the region by visitors and projections of the economic impact that increased numbers of visitors may have if additional off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle trails are developed; and

          D. the feasibility of using segments of existing trails in New Mexico for development of expanded off-road recreational all-terrain vehicle trails; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to make recommendations, develop a comprehensive plan based on its findings and report its findings and recommendations to the legislative finance committee no later than November 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the tourism department, the economic development department, the state land office and the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

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