The primary function of the committee is to review proposals for the preservation of cultural properties. The committee is authorized to take such actions as are reasonable and consistent with law to identify cultural properties and to advise on the protection and preservation of those properties. Among such actions as may be necessary and proper to the fulfillment of these responsibilities, and without being limited hereby, the committee:

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A. shall determine what constitutes historical, archaeological, scientific, architectural and other cultural significance for the purpose of identifying cultural properties as used in the Cultural Properties Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 18-6-1 to 18-6-17;

B. shall prepare and keep up to date the official register. This official register shall be composed of properties identified by the committee as having historical or other cultural significance and integrity, being suitable for preservation and having educational significance;

C. shall prepare and maintain proper documentation of the historic or other significance of cultural properties. The committee is granted access to all state and local public documents that may be necessary for the documentation, and such state and local agencies as have custody of such documents are authorized to allow the committee to examine and reproduce those documents useful for the documentation;

D. shall inspect all registered cultural properties periodically to assure proper cultural or historical integrity and proper maintenance. The inspection may be made by an authorized representative of the committee or historic preservation division of the office of cultural affairs. Such inspection shall be made only with the written consent of the owner or his authorized representative.

E. shall, based upon the inspection of a registered cultural property, recommend such repairs, maintenance and other measures as should be taken to maintain registered status;

F. shall issue regulations pertaining to the identification, preservation and maintenance of registered cultural properties in order to maintain the integrity of those properties;

G. may delete from the official register any registered cultural property whose owner does not comply with the committee’s regulations or follow its recommendations for repair and maintenance, or which upon presentation of further evidence does not merit continued official registry;

H. may recommend to the museum division of the office of cultural affairs and other public administrators of registered cultural properties measures for the investigation, restoration and protection of such properties;

I. may encourage and render technical advice to private owners of registered cultural properties in order that such properties may be preserved;

J. may encourage and provide technical assistance to municipalities and counties in acquiring, preserving and developing cultural properties within their jurisdictions;

K. shall cooperate with federal, state, local and private agencies and persons engaged in the administration, development or other work relating to cultural properties within the state;

L. shall pursue all activities in a manner consistent with state and federal laws and regulations;

M. may encourage and promote public appreciation of New Mexico’s historical and cultural heritage by:

(1)     reviewing for accuracy the proposed publication of information on cultural properties; and

(2)     reviewing the accuracy and adequacy of proposed marking of cultural properties;

N. may utilize the assistance of individuals, local organizations, state agencies and others interested in the identification and preservation of cultural properties;

O. may issue, with the concurrence of the state archaeologist and the state historic preservation officer, permits for the examination or excavation of sites and the collection or removal of objects of antiquity or general scientific interest, where such sites or objects are located on state lands, to institutions which the committee may deem to be properly qualified to conduct such examination, excavation or collection, subject to such rules and regulations as the committee may prescribe; provided that the examinations, excavations and collections are undertaken by reputable museums, universities, colleges or other historical, scientific or educational institutions or societies approved by the committee, with a view toward disseminating knowledge about cultural properties; and provided that a summary report of such investigations, containing relevant maps, documents, drawings and photographs be submitted to the committee which shall in turn submit the report to the appropriate agency or make other appropriate disposition of the report; and provided further, that all specimens so collected shall be the property of New Mexico, and that prior arrangements be made for the disposition of specimens derived from such investigations in an appropriate institution of the state or for loan of such specimens to qualified institutions in or out of the state;

P. shall provide advice to the state historic preservation officer in the historic preservation division and to the director of the museum division of the office of cultural affairs on cultural properties; and

Q. shall make, in conjunction with the historic preservation division, an annual report on its activities to the governor and the legislature. The report may contain recommendations for the more effective preservation of New Mexico’s historic and cultural heritage.