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

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE WATER RIGHTS ADJUDICATION PROCESS IN THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER AND THE DISTRICT COURTS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

A. Two million one hundred thousand dollars ($2,100,000) is appropriated from the general fund in the following amounts for expenditure in fiscal years 2003 and subsequent fiscal years by the following agencies for the following purposes:

(1) four hundred forty-three thousand two hundred dollars ($443,200) to the administrative office of the courts for personnel, hardware, software, equipment, office space, administrative support and contractual services to consolidate stand-alone databases, coordinate data exchange between the courts and the office of the state engineer and create a web-based water rights information project to provide access to information regarding specific water cases;

(2) one million three hundred twenty-four thousand four hundred dollars ($1,324,400) to the office of the state engineer for personnel, hardware, software, equipment, office space and administrative overhead support to accelerate hydrographic survey, fieldwork and mapping, and to expand the informal interaction of the office of the state engineer staff with water rights claimants to decrease the amount of formal mediation and litigation within water rights adjudications and increase informal negotiations for settlement of claims; and

(3) three hundred thirty-two thousand four hundred dollars ($332,400) to the department of finance and administration for personnel, equipment, office space and administrative overhead to establish a statewide water rights public education and facilitation program to assist water rights claimants in submitting claims and in working with the office of the state engineer and the courts to settle water rights claims through mediation and negotiation.

B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

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