SENATE CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST
1168
REQUESTED
BY Stuart Ingle
FOR EXPANDING THE
PURPOSES AND EXTENDING THE EXPENDITURE PERIODS OF IRRIGATION WORKS CONSTRUCTION
FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR PECOS RIVER BASIN WATER RIGHTS AND THE PECOS RIVER
COMPACT.
A. The purposes for which the New Mexico
irrigation works construction fund appropriations were originally made under
the following cited laws were: Laws
1998, Chapter 81, Section 2 for retiring water rights along the Pecos river
basin; Laws 1998, Chapter 81, Section 3, as amended by Laws 1999 (1st S.S.),
Chapter 2, Section 84 for the purchase of water rights along the Pecos river
basin; and Laws 1998, Chapter 81, Section 4 for preparing a long-term strategy
for the state’s compliance with the Pecos River Compact and other matters. Those purposes are expanded to include
taking appropriate actions that would effectively aid New Mexico to comply with
the United States supreme court amended decree entered in Texas v. New
Mexico, No. 65 original.
B. The period of time in which the
appropriations cited in Subsection A of this section may be expended is
extended through fiscal year 2006. Any
unencumbered or unexpended balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall
revert to the New Mexico irrigation works construction fund.
C.
The interstate stream commission shall obtain professionally prepared
market or economic valuations or appraisals of water rights proposed to be
purchased before any purchases of water rights are made. The valuations or appraisals, along with
other relevant considerations, shall be the basis for any purchase.
D. The interstate stream commission shall
review the expenditures made of the appropriations reauthorized in Subsection A
of this section at each of the commission's regularly scheduled meetings in
fiscal years 2003 through 2006.