SENATE BILL 71

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cisco McSorley

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; CLARIFYING THAT MUNICIPALITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LOW INCOME UTILITY ASSISTANCE ACT.

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

     Section 1. Section 27-6-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 290, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "27-6-13. ADMINISTRATION OF LOW INCOME UTILITY ASSISTANCE ACT.--

          A. As used in the Low Income Utility Assistance Act:

                (1) "department" means the agency of the state designated by the governor; and

                (2) "utility" means a publicly, privately, municipally or cooperatively owned utility for the rendition of electric power, gas and other fuels for heating.

          B. The department [is authorized to] may determine eligibility, establish payment amounts, make utility assistance payments to or on behalf of eligible recipients and otherwise administer the Low Income Utility Assistance Act.

          C. The department [is also called upon to utilize] shall use funds appropriated under the Low Income Utility Assistance Act to the maximum extent to generate available federal and local government funds and to mobilize other resources [which] that may be applied to the concepts of [that] the Low Income Utility Assistance Act."

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