HOUSE MEMORIAL 33

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Roger Montoya

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE A LEGISLATIVE INTERIM RURAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE.

 

     WHEREAS, vast disparities continue to exist between rural and urban communities in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, a coordinated, comprehensive and bipartisan effort is needed to address these disparities and improve the quality of life for all rural New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic provided evidence that rural communities suffer disproportionately due to a lack of basic services, such as running water, wastewater treatment services, electricity, health care and broadband internet; and

     WHEREAS, input from rural frontiers, communities and Native American communities is necessary to identify barriers to economic and educational opportunities in rural communities and to reduce or eliminate those barriers; and

     WHEREAS, infrastructure, economic development, education and health care in rural communities are in need of further state funding and investment; and

     WHEREAS, the creation of a legislative interim committee to study and provide policy recommendations on matters relating to rural opportunities would support and improve the economy and the lives of all residents of New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to create a legislative interim rural opportunity committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative interim rural opportunity committee be composed of legislators from each house so as to give equitable representation from rural areas in each quadrant of the state and representation from the membership of every other relevant interim committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be requested to review issues affecting rural areas of the state; identify barriers to economic and educational opportunities in rural areas of the state and propose policies to reduce or eliminate those barriers; assess all potential funding sources and opportunities for investment in infrastructure, economic development, education and health care in rural areas of the state; develop a long-term plan to address rural needs,

including the development of a rural relief legislative proposal that leverages bonding capacity, capital outlay funding and general fund appropriations, to provide for rural economic development; review current tax policy, including credits, rebates and deductions, to ensure equity between urban and rural communities; coordinate with the office of the governor to develop proposals; propose legislation to maximize public and private investments in rural communities and to foster the health and well-being of all residents of rural areas of the state; and develop a legislative proposal to ensure access for every New Mexican to running water, wastewater treatment services, electricity and broadband internet that provides benchmarks and tracks yearly progress; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be requested to make a report of its findings and recommendations available to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 15 preceding each legislative session for the consideration of each session of the legislature; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be staffed by the legislative council service with assistance from the legislative finance committee; and

     BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the directors of the legislative council service and the legislative finance committee.

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