HOUSE BILL 165

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION; REQUIRING SCHOOL BUSES WITH WHEELCHAIR LIFTS TO BE AIR-CONDITIONED; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 22, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] AIR CONDITIONING ON SCHOOL BUSES.--In accordance with the provisions of Section 22-16-2 NMSA 1978, the department shall establish standards for school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and shall require that such buses purchased new after June 30, 2006 be equipped with factory-installed air conditioning."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2007 to reimburse school districts for the cost of factory-installed air conditioning in school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of the fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.

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