SENATE BILL 106
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024
INTRODUCED BY
William E. Sharer
AN ACT
RELATING TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS; CREATING THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION TO PLAN, PROMOTE AND IMPLEMENT CELEBRATIONS COMMEMORATING THE TWO HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO STAFF--TERMINATION.--
A. The "semiquincentennial commission" is created in the cultural affairs department to plan, promote and implement public celebrations and commemorations of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of independence and the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States of America on July 4, 2026.
B. The commission consists of the following members:
(1) the governor, who shall serve as the honorary chair of the commission;
(2) the lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee;
(3) the president pro tempore of the senate or the president pro tempore's designee;
(4) the speaker of the house of representatives or the speaker's designee;
(5) the secretary of cultural affairs or the secretary's designee;
(6) the secretary of higher education or the secretary's designee;
(7) the secretary of Indian affairs or the secretary's designee;
(8) the secretary of public education or the secretary's designee;
(9) the secretary of tourism or the secretary's designee;
(10) the adjutant general of the New Mexico national guard or the adjutant general's designee;
(11) the state historian; and
(12) four public members appointed by the governor.
C. The cultural affairs department shall provide staff support to the commission.
D. Public members of the commission shall be appointed for the life of the commission and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
E. Public members of the commission shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
F. The commission shall terminate on December 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION--POWERS AND DUTIES.--
A. The semiquincentennial commission may cooperate with the United States semiquincentennial commission created by Public Law 114-196, other national and state organizations engaged in commemoration and celebration of the United States semiquincentennial and other national, regional, state and local public and private organizations having compatible purposes.
B. The commission shall promote and encourage as part of its celebratory events, electronic media, printed media, symposia and educational outreach:
(1) awareness and understanding of the principles of the declaration of independence, the United States' winning of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States' system of constitutional self-government;
(2) the advancement of the cause of liberty and American self-government through promoting civic knowledge and practice and the constitutional features of self-government that emphasize the roles of active and engaged citizens; and
(3) an increase in public knowledge and appreciation of the breadth of American history and the long quest to live up to the ideals put forth in the declaration of independence and the United States constitution.
C. The commission may:
(1) designate advisory and honorary boards and special committees to assist with planning, developing and coordinating specific activities;
(2) enter into contracts and accept donations, gifts, grants and other things of value, including real or personal property and personal services; and
(3) do other things consistent with the purposes of this act to carry out the provisions of this act.
SECTION 3. TEMPORARY PROVISION--COOPERATION.--
A. The semiquincentennial commission shall consult, cooperate with and seek advice from appropriate state departments and agencies, public schools, post-secondary educational institutions, local public bodies, learned societies and historical, patriotic, philanthropic, civic, professional and related organizations.
B. The president of each state university shall cooperate with the commission, especially in the encouragement, coordination and publicity of scholarly works and presentations on the history, culture, political thought and commemoration of the semiquincentennial celebration.
SECTION 4. TEMPORARY PROVISION--REPORT.--
A. The semiquincentennial commission shall submit to the governor a report incorporating specific recommendations for the ceremonial, educational and scholastic commemoration of the United States semiquincentennial in the state by December 31, 2024. The report shall recommend activities such as:
(1) the production, publication and distribution of books, pamphlets, films and other educational materials about the semiquincentennial;
(2) bibliographical and documentary projects and publications;
(3) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars and other programs;
(4) the development of special projects for libraries, museums, state parks and historic sites, including special exhibits and traveling exhibits;
(5) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific and general events;
(6) programs and activities on the national and international significance of the semiquincentennial and its implications for present and future generations; and
(7) the involvement of local governments and cultural, historical and other organizations.
B. The report shall include recommendations for the allocation of financial and administrative responsibility among public and private authorities, a list of organizations recommended for participation by the commission and proposals for legislation or administrative action necessary to carry out the recommendations of the commission.
SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the cultural affairs department for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2027 for the expenses of the semiquincentennial commission. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.
- 6 -