A. The "forest and watershed advisory board" is created and is administratively attached to the energy, minerals and natural resources department. The board consists of the following members:

(1) the New Mexico state forester;

(2) the state engineer or the state engineer's designee;

(3) the commissioner of public lands or the commissioner's designee;

(4) the secretary of economic development or the secretary's designee;

(5) the secretary of environment or the secretary's designee;

(6) the director of the department of game and fish or the director's designee;

(7) the state fire marshal or the fire marshal's designee; and

(8) three public members appointed by the governor from a list of nominees submitted to the governor jointly by the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives:

(a) one of whom shall be a representative of the forest products industry;

(b) one of whom shall be a representative of local government interests, such as a member of New Mexico counties or the soil and water conservation commission; and

(c) one of whom shall be a representative of an academic or nonprofit conservation organization with a focus on ecological restoration science.

B. Public members of the board shall serve until their successors have been appointed.

C. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for transaction of business. The board shall elect a chair from among its members.

D. Members of the board are entitled to receive per diem and mileage pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act [10-8-1 to 10-8-8 NMSA 1978] and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 62, § 3.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 62 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.