44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; EMPLOYING NEW MEXICO WORKS TRANSPORTATION FACILITATORS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. A new section of the New Mexico Works Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] NEW MEXICO WORKS--TRANSPORTATION SERVICES--TRANSPORTATION FACILITATORS--DUTIES.--

A. The department shall work with the public transportation programs bureau of the state highway and transportation department to provide transportation services to participants. Transportation services provided by the public transportation programs bureau may include the following:

(1) emergency assistance for car repair;

(2) passes for public transportation; and

(3) fare for taxi cabs or van pools.

B. The public transportation programs bureau shall create ten New Mexico works transportation facilitator positions to work with all local income support division offices of the department to provide transportation services.

C. The New Mexico works transportation facilitators shall assist participants under the New Mexico Works Act in the following ways:

(1) provide transportation services;

(2) negotiate reduced rates from transit operators using bulk purchase of transportation slots;

(3) coordinate subsidized transportation options through employers, community action agencies or existing government programs including those contained in the New Mexico Works Act; and

(4) solve transportation logistics problems.

C. The public transportation programs bureau shall allow participants pursuant to the New Mexico Works Act to engage in work experience, community service and on-the-job training to assist New Mexico works transportation facilitators.

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the temporary assistance for needy families block grant for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to the public transportation programs bureau of the state highway and transportation department for the purpose of providing transportation services to participants as defined in the New Mexico Works Act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the temporary assistance for needy families block grant.

Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public transportation programs bureau of the state highway and transportation department for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to fund ten full-time-equivalent New Mexico works transportation facilitators. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

Section 4. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately."