HOUSE BILL 174

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Meredith A. Dixon and Nathan P. Small

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO GROUND WATER; CREATING THE UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL FUND; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Water Quality Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL FUND.--The "underground injection control fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. The energy, minerals and natural resources department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the energy, minerals and natural resources department to carry out a state underground injection control program. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources or the secretary's designee."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATIONS.--

          A. One million four hundred thousand dollars ($1,400,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the underground injection control fund for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 and subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

          B. One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the energy, minerals and natural resources department for expenditure in fiscal year 2024 to provide full-time-equivalent employees for the state underground injection control program and provide support in the application process for state primary enforcement authority over class six wells. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2024 shall revert to the general fund.

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