HOUSE BILL 101

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

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph Cervantes

FOR THE WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR SUPPORT AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE WATER ADJUDICATION PROCESS IN THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--One million three hundred twenty-four thousand four hundred dollars ($1,324,400) is appropriated from the general fund to the state engineer for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years for personnel, hardware, software, equipment, office space and administrative support to accelerate hydrographic survey, fieldwork and mapping and to expand the informal interaction of the state engineer's staff with water rights claimants in order to decrease the amount of formal mediation and litigation within water rights adjudications and to increase informal negotiations for settlement of claims. 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.

- 2 -