RELATING TO THE ELECTION CODE; TEMPORARILY FREEZING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES FOR REDISTRICTING PURPOSES; PROVIDING FOR DELAYED REPEAL; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS--PRECINCT BOUNDARY FREEZE--EXCEPTIONS.--

A. For the purpose of legislative and congressional redistricting, the authority of boards of county commissioners to create new precincts or combine precincts and to alter their boundaries pursuant to Section 1-3-2, 1-3-3 or 4-38-21 NMSA 1978 is suspended until January 31, 2002, and all precinct boundaries are frozen until January 31, 2002, except those precinct boundaries not in compliance with the provisions of the Precinct Boundary Adjustment Act.

B. The secretary of state may authorize a board of county commissioners to adjust precinct boundaries in accordance with the Precinct Boundary Adjustment Act and shall notify the legislative council service of any adjustments.

Section 2. DELAYED REPEAL.--This act is repealed effective January 31, 2002.

Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.