SENATE BILL 578

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

William F. Burt

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; CREATING THE NATIONAL SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FUND; CREATING THE MILITARY PROTECTION AND GROWTH PROGRAM; CREATING THE DEFENSE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] NATIONAL SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FUND--CREATION--ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.--

          A. The "national security infrastructure support fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of money appropriated by the legislature to the fund. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year. The secretary of economic development shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the economic development department to administer the military protection and growth program and the defense economic community program. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of economic development or the secretary's authorized representative.

          B. The specific allocation of the funds shall be determined by the military base planning commission in consultation with the economic development department. Funds from the national security infrastructure support fund shall be distributed to the following programs:

                (1) the military protection and growth program; and

                (2) the defense economic community program.

          C. The economic development department may provide grants in accordance with Subsection B of this section for the following purposes:

                (1) to conduct a study to assess the military bases and communities of New Mexico in relationship to base realignment and closure, which shall develop:

                     (a) a facilities and installations strategy for New Mexico to protect the military installations;

                     (b) a process for regular review of federal installation strengths and weaknesses to include military value and facility conditions;

                     (c) recommendations regarding the development of policies and plans to support the long-term viability, prosperity and economic sustainability of the active military and civilian communities;

                     (d) information about issues related to the operating costs, missions and strategic value of federal military installations located in the state;

                     (e) employment issues that depend on defense bases and in defense-related businesses; and

                     (f) defense strategies and incentive programs that other states are using to maintain, expand and attract new defense contractors;

                (2) to assist defense-dependent municipalities to have a funding source to implement strategies recommended by the study of military bases and communities of New Mexico;

                (3) to assist communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses, including regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

                (4) to assist communities in the retention and recruiting of defense-related businesses, including fostering strategic regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

                (5) to diversify and further commercialize the local economy of a defense-dependent community; and

                (6) to develop public-private contractual agreements with a focus on the fields of information technology, cybersecurity, engineering and advanced manufacturing.

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] MILITARY PROTECTION AND GROWTH PROGRAM--DEFENSE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PROGRAM--CREATION.--

          A. The "military protection and growth program" is created within the economic development department. The program will address emergent needs relating to base retention in relation to mission sustainment, encroachment reduction or prevention.

          B. The "defense economic community program" is created within the economic development department. The program will assist defense-dependent municipalities to have a funding source to implement strategies recommended by the military protection and growth program.

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the national security infrastructure support fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 and subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of that fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

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