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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Human Services Department

State Highway and Transportation Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill amends the New Mexico Public Works Act to create a new section which requires the Director of the State Transportation Division of the Department of Education to identify school buses which have completed their 12 year cycle or which are surplus and donate them to the State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD). SHTD will use the buses to transport New Mexico Works participants to work-related activities as well as provide transportation in areas of the state that lack public transportation.

Significant Issues

This bill attempts to address the shortage of public transportation in the state where many New Mexico Works recipients lack reliable personal transportation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation within the bill to repair, operate and maintain surplus buses provided to SHTD for New Mexico Works participants.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This bill does not address the potential liability of using public school surplus buses which may have major mechanical problems or need refurbishing. The bill does not provide an appropriation for the repair, refurbishing or ongoing costs of operating and maintaining the buses to assure they operate safely and reliably.

MFV/njw