A. The New Mexico outdoor recreation division of the department shall:

(1) increase outdoor recreation-based economic development, tourism and ecotourism in the state;

(2) recruit out-of-state-based outdoor recreation businesses to locate in New Mexico;

(3) promote stewardship and preservation of New Mexico's unique environment and cultural assets; and

(4) promote education about and use of outdoor recreation assets to enhance public health.

B. The department, the tourism department, the state land office, the Rio Grande trail commission, the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of game and fish, the cultural affairs department, the Indian affairs department, the department of health and the department of transportation shall work in conjunction with the New Mexico outdoor recreation division to support the division's duties as they relate to the purposes of the respective departments and agencies.

C. For the purposes of this section:

(1) "ecotourism" means a form of tourism that involves visiting areas of ecological interest and is intended as a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial tourism; and

(2) "outdoor recreation" means a recreational activity that occurs outdoors in a natural environment, including the use of trails, the natural landscape, water or snow resources or other natural resources in the activity.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 117, § 2.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 117, § 9 made Laws 2019, ch. 117 effective July 1, 2019.