HOUSE BILL 781

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Andy Nuñez

AN ACT

RELATING TO ANIMALS; CREATING THE EQUINE PROTECTION FUND; PROVIDING FOR SUBSIDIZED EQUINE NEEDS.

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

     Section 1. EQUINE PROTECTION FUND CREATED--PURPOSE.--

          A. The "equine protection fund" is created in the state treasury. The equine protection fund shall consist of donations, appropriations and any other contributions to the fund. Earnings from investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. Money in the fund shall not be transferred to another fund or encumbered or expended except for expenditures authorized pursuant to this section. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature to the department of finance and administration to make grants to political subdivisions or other instrumentalities of the state or to contract with persons to assist with the humane care, treatment, rehabilitation and humane disposition of equines. The fund shall be administered by the department of finance and administration. The department of finance and administration shall adopt rules for disbursing money from the fund. A disbursement from the fund shall be made only upon a warrant drawn by the secretary of finance and administration or the secretary's authorized representative. Unexpended and unencumbered balances in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

          B. The secretary of finance and administration shall appoint an advisory committee to make recommendations for disbursements from the fund. The committee shall consist of individuals with an interest in equine issues, including representatives from horse breeders, the horse racing industry, the rodeo industry, the livestock community and the animal advocacy community.

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