New Mexico Statutes Chapter 19. Public Lands § 19-10B-2. Findings and purpose

A. The legislature finds that a new oil and gas data base system will substantially increase revenues from state trust lands with resulting benefits to the trust beneficiaries and that funding the development of a new system with income from state trust lands constitutes a necessary and vital expense of the commissioner of public lands in the control and administration of the state trust lands and is a prudent and permitted use of trust income. The legislature further finds that a new oil and gas data base system will also increase severance tax revenues and that investment of the severance tax permanent fund in revenue bonds issued by the commissioner of public lands to finance the development of the new system is a prudent investment by the state.

B. The purpose of the ONGARD System Development Act is to provide for the development of an oil and gas data base system that will assure that the state is receiving the oil and gas tax and royalty revenue to which it is entitled, that the appropriate calculations are based on proper volumes and values and that correct amounts are remitted and accurately accounted for.