46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; TRANSFERRING THE POWER TO CLOSE HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES FROM THE NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

Section 1. Section 66-7-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 280, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-7-11. NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE OR MOTOR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION POWER TO CLOSE CERTAIN HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES.--Notwithstanding any rule [regulation] or agreement of the state highway and transportation department, the New Mexico state police or motor transportation division of the department of public safety, in cases of emergency where the condition of a state highway presents a substantial danger to vehicular travel by reason of storm, fire, accident, spillage of hazardous materials or other unusual or dangerous conditions, may close [such] the highway to vehicular travel until the New Mexico state police or the motor transportation division of the department of public safety determines otherwise. The state highway and transportation department shall be notified of the highway closure as soon as practicable."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.