SENATE BILL 52

44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 1999

RELATING TO STATE PROPERTY; REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL TO CLOSE OR CHANGE OWNERSHIP OR MANAGEMENT OF A STATE PARK.

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

Section 1. Section 16-2-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1951, Chapter 45, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"16-2-15. SECRETARY'S POWER TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF PARK LANDS--LIMITATIONS.--

A. The secretary has the right to authorize the commissioner of public lands to quitclaim to any state educational institution or other state agency, department or public body having authority to hold, and a use therefor, any lands acquired for state park or state recreational purposes for such nominal consideration and upon such conditions and subject to such reservations as in each case may be prescribed by the secretary; provided, however, that disposition of any such lands shall, in any case, relate only to lands held in excess of the reasonable needs of the state [park and recreation] parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department for public parks and recreational purposes.

B. A state park shall not be closed or transferred to another governmental entity or leased to a private person without the express approval of the legislature."