KRWG News – SANTA FE, N.M. (KRWG) A proposal to reorganize New Mexico's public safety and homeland security operations has cleared an early hurdle in the Legislature.
The House approved a measure on Saturday to merge the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management into the Department of Public Safety.
The legislation also will move the state fire marshal's office from the Public Regulation Commission into the department.
The homeland security agency was created in 2007, combing operations that had been in the Department of Public Safety and the governor's office.
The bill passed the House on a 60-6 vote after lawmakers rejected a proposal to keep the fire marshal in the PRC. The measure goes to the Senate for consideration.
Under the legislation, homeland security will become a division within the Department of Public Safety.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. krwg