44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO PLAN FOR A SECOND INMATE FORESTRY WORK CAMP.

WHEREAS, the legislature passed and the governor signed the Inmate Forestry Work Camp Act, which became Laws 1998, Chapter 57; and

WHEREAS, the act established a work camp program that would be conducted jointly by the corrections department and the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department; and

WHEREAS, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources has published information that the need for inmate forestry work camps is urgent to help restore the state's forests and improve watersheds; and

WHEREAS, the severe drought conditions of the last several years continue through this winter, and the threat of fire is especially dire; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's need for workers for forest thinning, watershed improvement, prescribed burns, fire break and trail maintenance and other services can be met by establishing inmate forestry work camps; and

WHEREAS, inmates can benefit greatly from the inmate forestry work camp program, as they will be participating in meaningful work; and

WHEREAS, given the need for the work and the need to keep inmates engaged in worthwhile activities, the establishment of inmate forestry work camps should be a high priority for both the corrections department and the energy, minerals and natural resources department;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the corrections department and the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to establish at least two inmate forestry work camps by July 1, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments consider the most cost-efficient ways of establishing the work camps, including using corrections property or other state property that would be appropriate for the purpose; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the property control division of the general services department be requested to work with the departments as needed to ensure the work camps are established; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments be encouraged to establish the work camps as soon as possible within their fiscal year 2000 appropriations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if additional funding is needed, it be included in the departments' budget requests for next year as a high priority item; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments report to the legislative finance committee, the courts, corrections and criminal justice committee and other appropriate interim committees on the progress of establishing the work camps; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of corrections, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources and the director of the property control division of the general services department.