46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO WATER RIGHTS LITIGATION; CREATING THE WATER RIGHTS LITIGATION FUND; PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. WATER RIGHTS LITIGATION FUND--CREATED--DISTRIBUTIONS.--The "water rights litigation fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall be administered by the administrative office of the courts and money in the fund is appropriated to the administrative office of the courts to pay the costs of judges pro tempore, special masters, law clerks and judicial specialists and to pay capital outlay, travel and other expenses incurred by the district courts in water rights adjudication cases. Expenditures from the fund shall be made on warrants of the secretary of finance and administration upon vouchers signed by the director of the administrative office of the courts or his authorized representative. Money in the fund shall not revert to the general fund at the end of any fiscal year.

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred sixty-five thousand dollars ($565,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the water rights litigation fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out the purpose of the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.