SENATE BILL 2

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph A. Fidel

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; CREATING THE GASOLINE AND HOME HEATING RELIEF FUND; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. GASOLINE AND HOME HEATING RELIEF FUND--CREATED.--The "gasoline and home heating relief fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. Balances in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund. The fund is administered by the department of finance and administration and money in the fund is appropriated to the department of finance and administration:

          A. to provide gasoline price rebates to New Mexico taxpayers burdened as a result of extremely high gasoline

prices;

          B. to provide economic relief to New Mexico taxpayers suffering from rapidly increasing home heating costs; and

          C. for the low income home energy assistance program.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATIONS.--

          A. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the following agencies for expenditure in fiscal year 2006 for the following purposes:

                (1) twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) to the human services department for the low income home energy assistance program;

                (2) one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to the department of finance and administration for weatherization programs statewide;

                (3) one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to the department of public safety for fuel costs; and

                (4) one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to the public education department for school district utilities and school bus fuel costs.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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