HOUSE BILL 45

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Andy Nunez

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING THE WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE CREATED--PURPOSE.--

          A. The "waste management education and research consortium" is created and shall be a division of New Mexico state university.

          B. Participating institutions associated with the institute shall be New Mexico state university, the university of New Mexico, New Mexico institute of mining and technology, New Mexico highlands university, eastern New Mexico university and western New Mexico university. The purposes of the consortium are to:

                (1) provide research and training in water conservation, planning and management, atmospheric-surface-ground water relations and water quality;

                (2) transfer water information through the use of technical and miscellaneous publications, newsletters, conferences and presentations;

                (3) provide expertise, specialized assistance and information to address water problems; and

                (4) cooperate with local, state and federal water agencies.

          C. The board of regents of New Mexico state university shall prepare reports showing the progress and condition of the institute as the board deems necessary. The reports of the institute may be printed and distributed by the board as appropriate, and revenue from the sale of the reports shall be paid into the account of New Mexico state university.

          D. The institute may receive appropriations from the legislature through the board of regents of New Mexico state university and may receive any other items of value from public or private sources.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of New Mexico state university for expenditure in fiscal year 2005 for the water resources research institute to increase research in water conservation, planning and management. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

- 3 -