NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

SPONSOR:

Vigil

 

DATE TYPED:

02/20/03

 

HB

398/aHTC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Power to Close Highways to DPS

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Gilbert

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Responses Received From

Department of Public Safety Motor Transportation Division (MTD)

Attorney General’s Office (AGO)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of HTC Amendment

 

The House Transportation Committee amendment to House Bill 398 simply changes the bill’s title from:

 

Relating to motor vehicles; transferring the power to close highways in emergencies from the New Mexico State Police to the Department of Public Safety.

 

To New Bill Title:

 

Relating to motor vehicles; expanding the power to close highways in emergencies.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 398 allows the Motor Transportation Division of the Department of Public Safety (MTD) to close state highways under circumstances of “substantial danger”. Currently this authority is vested only with the New Mexico State Police.

 

     Significant Issues

 

According to the MTD, granting uniformed MTD officers the authority to close roadways will enhance public safety. There have been cases where New Mexico State Police Officers were not present and MTD officers were required to wait before a dangerous road could be closed.  Such delays can result in the public being unnecessarily exposed to hazardous conditions.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

According to the Attorney General’s Office, on Page 1, line 21 and Page 2, line 5 “State Transportation Department” should be used instead of “State Highway and Transportation Department.”

 

RLG/prr