A. The "intertribal ceremonial office" is created. The office is administratively attached to the department.

B. The governor shall appoint a director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director shall hire and terminate other necessary employees, who shall be subject to the provisions of the Personnel Act [Chapter 10, Article 9 NMSA 1978].

C. The director shall:

(1) work with the department to establish steady funding for the intertribal ceremonial;

(2) supervise the activities of the office;

(3) work with the department to promote the intertribal ceremonial; and

(4) prepare an annual budget and an annual report on the activities of the office.

D. The office shall:

(1) administer an annual intertribal ceremonial;

(2) cooperate with and assist public and private entities that seek to promote recognition of ceremonies significant to Indian tribes and pueblos;

(3) function as the coordinating office for all services and activities pertaining to the intertribal ceremonial;

(4) adopt rules in accordance with the State Rules Act [Chapter 14, Article 4 NMSA 1978] to carry out the duties of the office;

(5) accept gifts, grants, donations, bequests and devises from any source to be used to carry out its duties;

(6) enter into contracts; and

(7) charge admission, parking and concessions fees, give prizes and premiums, create sponsorships and other forms of advertising, arrange entertainments and do all things the office may consider proper for the conduct of the intertribal ceremonial and not otherwise prohibited by law.

E. The "intertribal ceremonial board" is created. The board shall consist of eight members, including the director, who shall serve ex officio, the secretary or the secretary's designated representative and six members, appointed by the governor, who shall serve terms of five years each; provided that the governor's first appointments shall be made of two board members for one-year terms, two for two-year terms, one for a three-year term and one for a four-year term. All intertribal ceremonial board members shall be bona fide residents of the state, and at least a majority of the members shall be Native American. A board member shall not be removed during the term of office except for cause, following notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

History: Laws 2005, ch. 219, § 3; 2006, ch. 19, § 3.

The 2006 amendment, effective March 2, 2006, added Subsection D(7) to provide that the office shall charge fees, give prizes and premiums, create sponsorships and advertising, arrange entertainments and do all things for the conduct of the intertribal ceremonial; and added the provision to Subsection E to increase the number of members of the board from seven members to eight members, including the director who shall serve ex officio, the secretary or the secretary's designated representative and six members appointed by the governor.