FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 5, 2019
Contact: Yvette Perez donna.perez@nmlegis.gov, 505-986-4882
SENATOR JEFF STEINBORN INTRODUCES SENATE BILL 462,
WHICH WOULD INCREASE OUTDOOR RECREATION-BASED
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM IN NEW MEXICO
LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE “NEW MEXICO OUTDOOR RECREATION”
DIVISION IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Santa Fe, NM–On Tuesday, Senator Jeff Steinborn (D-Doña Ana) introduced Senate Bill 462, which would create the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division in the Economic Development Department. Senator Steven Neville (R-San Juan), and Representatives Nathan Small (D- Doña Ana), Angelica Rubio (D- Doña Ana) and Wanda Johnson (D-San Juan and McKinley) are co-sponsors of the legislation.
In making the announcement, Senator Steinborn said, “This new division will spur economic development by promoting outdoor recreation opportunities and events within our state, expanding outdoor recreation infrastructure and assisting New Mexicans in establishing outdoor recreation-based businesses.” He added, “It will also promote the preservation of New Mexico’s unique environment and cultural assets and recruit out-of-state outdoor recreation businesses to relocate and/or expand to New Mexico.”
In this legislation “outdoor recreation” means an activity that occurs in a natural environment, such as: hiking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowmobiling.
The legislation also creates the Outdoor Equity Grant Fund to help get kids outdoors, as well as an Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee comprised of members of the outdoor recreation industry and communities across the state.
According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation industry contributes $9.9 billion to the state’s economy, creating 99,000 jobs.
To commemorate the proposed legislation and New Mexico’s outdoor recreation opportunities, Governor Lujan Grisham, Senator Steinborn and the Cabinet Secretary Designates for Economic Development and Tourism took a morning bike ride from the Governor’s house to the State Capitol.
For more details, visit: https://outdoorindustry.org/state/new-mexico
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