A. As used in this section:

(1) "department" means the department of military affairs; and

(2) "facilities" means a post exchange, canteen, barber shop, fitness center, snack bar, transient housing, billeting operation, laundry or similar facility, the purpose of which is to enhance the morale and welfare of military personnel.

B. The department may establish "morale, welfare and recreation facilities" at the Onate training center complex in Santa Fe for use by:

(1) active and reserve component members of the armed forces of the United States;

(2) persons retired from the armed forces of the United States; and

(3) state and federal civilian employees assigned to the department.

C. The facilities shall be established in accordance with rules of the federal departments of the army and air force and the national guard governing nonappropriated fund morale, welfare and recreation activities. The department of military affairs shall adopt and promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

D. The facilities shall be:

(1) separate and apart from the state; and

(2) self-sufficient and shall not receive any appropriations from the legislature.

E. The department shall establish a system of bookkeeping and accounting for the proper handling of money derived from the operation of the facilities. The department shall establish bank accounts as necessary for the deposit of revenue from operation of the facilities. Money derived from operation of the facilities is not state money and shall not be commingled with money received by the department from state sources.

F. The department may contract for the operation of the facilities. Employees of the facilities are not state employees for any purpose.

G. No obligations or contracts of the facilities shall be considered to be obligations or contracts of the state.

H. The department shall require an annual independent audit each year of the facilities' operations and may require other audits as necessary. Audits shall be submitted to the state auditor and the legislative finance committee within ten days of receipt by the department.

I. Money derived from the operation of the facilities is appropriated to the department for the continued operation of the facilities and for the general welfare of members of the New Mexico national guard.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 84, § 1.

Effective dates. — Laws 2007, ch. 84, contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 15, 2007, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.