HOUSE BILL 274

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Ray Begaye

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR WATER PROJECTS OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the funds and agencies identified below in the following amounts for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 and subsequent fiscal years for the following purposes:

                (1) seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) to the Indian water rights settlement fund to pay the state's portion of the costs necessary to implement Indian water rights settlements approved by the legislature and the United States congress;

                (2) a final forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000) to the interstate stream commission to complete the Pecos River Compact settlement;

                (3) thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to the improvement of Rio Grande income fund for the middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act collaborative program;

                (4) seven million dollars ($7,000,000) to the interstate stream commission for the Gila river settlement in the federal Arizona Water Settlements Act, to be used to conduct a full and inclusive process of public involvement, complete a thorough scientific assessment of ecological conditions in the Gila river basin and perform a full analysis of all water needs and supply alternatives in the southwestern water-planning region;

                (5) seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) to the interstate stream commission for the Ute pipeline project;

                (6) forty-four million dollars ($44,000,000) to the New Mexico irrigation works construction fund for acequia and dam safety improvements statewide; and

                (7) six million dollars ($6,000,000) to the interstate stream commission for La Plata conservancy district's cost share of the Animas-La Plata project.

          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.

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