State of New Mexico
House of Representatives and Senate

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                             Contact:  Victoria Chávez 646-241-5335, House Majority
February 4, 2009                                                                                Gerald Gonzalez 505-490-1357, Senate Majority

Dona Aña County Legislators Introduce Bills To Codify Procedures in the State Land Office

Santa Fe, NM – Dona Aña County Legislators introduced a package of bills today to strengthen the procedures, increase transparency, and insure a fair rate of return for property transactions in the State Land Office.  Rep. Nathan Cote (D-Las Cruces), Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces) and Sen. Stephen H. Fischmann (D-Mesilla Park) have all introduced legislation that would codify different procedures in the State Land Office.

The bills include:

•HB607 & SB474 – State Land Lessee Improvement Requirements (Rep. Cote and Sen. Fischmann) would limit compensation for certain
lessees to an amount based on the value of tangible improvements to real property.

•HB606-Require Development Lease Notice & Bidding (Rep. Steinborn) would require that business leases for real estate planning or
development purposes shall be issued only after notice and competitive bid.

•HB610-Land Commissioner Classification and Accounting (Rep. Cote) would require the commissioner of public lands to develop and
utilize a manual prescribing a uniform classification of accounts and a uniform system for budgeting and reporting.

•HB605-Review of Development Business Leases (Rep. Steinborn) would provide that business leases for real estate planning or
development purposes shall not be effective until reviewed by the appropriate municipal and county governing body.

•SB475-A.G. Review of Development Land Leases (Sen. Fischmann) would provide for third party review of State Land Office planning for
development and lease transactions to insure fair return to the taxpayers. 

Rep. Cote said, “I believe it is the right time to update laws that deal with the sale, lease, and swap of state lands.  My interest is not to impede the State Land Office’s ability to be entrepreneurial, but it is my responsibility to respond and represent the citizens of my district and all of New Mexico.  My constituents and I want more accountability at all levels of government.  We want to know our tax dollars are being spent wisely and that our state’s resources are being protected.  My legislation is to insure we have accountability and that we are doing our best for our beneficiaries.”

Sen. Fischmann said, “Over the past several years, there’s been continuing controversy over a series of State Land Office deals in Dona Aña County.  Our state needs prompt reform to rebuild the confidence of taxpayers that State Land Office affairs are being conducted in their best interest.”

Rep. Steinborn said, “The legislation I introduced today regarding the State Land Office will work to insure that the best deal for taxpayers and beneficiaries will always be achieved through competitive bidding and local communities will be brought into the process by holding public hearings with advance notification when state lands are put on the path to private development.”