MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF FOR MORA, UNION, HARDING, SAN MIGUEL, GUADALUPE, TORRANCE AND SANTA FE COUNTIES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATION--EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF.--

A. The legislature finds that, because of the recent heavy snows and winds in Mora, Union, Harding, San Miguel, Guadalupe, Torrance and Santa Fe counties:

(1) there are many elderly, sick and disabled persons in several remote rural areas who are stranded and cannot get out of their homes;

(2) there are many homes in rural areas running out of propane because trucks cannot reach their homes on the snow packed roads;

(3) there are thousands of cattle stranded and facing starvation;

(4) the situation is of such magnitude that it is beyond the control of local governments; and

(5) state expenditures are necessary to provide those resources and services necessary to avoid or minimize economic or physical harm until the situation becomes stabilized and again under local self-support and control.

B. Seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the local government division of the department of finance and administration for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 to take any action necessary to alleviate the emergency situation in Mora county, including expenditures on a temporary, emergency basis for lodging, sheltering, health care, food, snow removal, any transportation or shipping necessary to protect lives or public property; or for any other action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.

C. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the local government division for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 to take any action necessary to alleviate the emergency situation in the following counties, including expenditures on a temporary, emergency basis for lodging, sheltering, health care, food, snow removal and transportation or shipping necessary to protect lives or public property; or for any other action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare:

(1) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for Union county;

(2) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for Harding county;

(3) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for San Miguel county;

(4) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for Guadalupe county;

(5) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for Torrance county; and

(6) four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) for Santa Fe county.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.

Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

HB 496

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