Bill > HB226

This bill establishes a temporary "small business support work group" composed of nine members appointed by the New Mexico legislative council, including three state representatives, three state senators, and three public members with relevant expertise, ensuring no more than five members belong to the same major political party. This work group will operate from its appointment until December 1st before the second session of the fifty-second legislature, and its duties include holding an organizational meeting to create a work plan and budget for legislative approval, studying the needs of independently owned small businesses employing fifty or fewer full-time employees, conducting an analysis of these needs, developing recommendations for a state small business growth strategy, and reporting its findings and proposed legislation to the legislature by December 1, 2015. The legislative council service will provide staff support for the work group, and $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to cover member expenses and other operational costs, with any remaining funds reverting to the general fund at the end of fiscal year 2016.