45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS TO STUDY AN ALTERNATIVE PROCESS FOR WATER RIGHTS ADJUDICATIONS.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the administrative office of the courts for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to study and develop recommendations, in cooperation with the office of the state engineer, for improving the water rights adjudication process, including proposals for prioritization of ground water basins and stream systems, ensuring availability of resources to the courts, shortening and simplifying the litigation process for all litigants and expediting the completion of adjudications. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.