Gov. Bill Richardson has signed legislation creating a bi-national entity with the Mexican state of Sonora.
HB 295 creates the New Mexico-Sonora Commission, which will establish a framework to allow the neighboring states to address cross-border issues of common interest, such as trade, tourism, health and public safety.
New Mexico’s border with Sonora is located on the southwestern edge of the “boot heel” of the state. Although there is only about 12 miles of shared border, trade and tourism have increased substantially between the two states over the past 10 years, according to the governor’s office.
The Commission will institutionalize existing ties and allow the two states to quantify the trade and tourism relationship, Richardson said, as well as promote each other’s products and attractions.