SENATE BILL 493

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

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Muñoz

AN ACT

RELATING TO WATER; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER FOR BRACKISH WATER REUSE EXPLORATION, TREATMENT AND AQUIFER RECHARGE WATER PROJECTS; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR WATER DESALINATION PROJECTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO PROMULGATE RULES FOR APPROPRIATE MINERAL LEVELS IN THE WATER OF WATER PROJECTS AND CONDUCT ACTIVITIES TO ADVANCE WATER REUSE.

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISIONS--PROJECTS RULES.--The department of environment shall by December 31, 2023 promulgate rules for the appropriate mineral levels for water in the water projects specified in Sections 2 and 3 of this act.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of the state engineer for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for planning, design, administration and matching federal and private funds for brackish water reuse exploration, treatment and aquifer recharge water projects to benefit the lower Rio Grande, middle Rio Grande, Permian basin and northwest quadrant of the state. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--Two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for innovation, research, monitoring, support and development of technology associated with the water projects in Section 2 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 4. APPROPRIATION.--Two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of New Mexico state university for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for the innovation, research, monitoring, support and development of technology associated with the water projects in Section 2 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION.--Five million five hundred thousand dollars ($5,500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of environment for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for the promulgation of rules pursuant to Section 1 of this act and to conduct activities to advance water reuse. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

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