HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 640

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF FOR RIO ARRIBA COUNTY AND THE VILLAGE OF CHAMA AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION--EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF.--

          A. The legislature finds that, because of the recent heavy snows and winds in Rio Arriba county and the village of Chama and its surrounding communities:

                (1) there are many elderly, sick and disabled persons in several remote rural areas who are stranded and cannot get out of their homes;

                (2) there are many homes in rural areas running out of propane because trucks cannot reach their homes on the snow-packed roads;

                (3) there are thousands of cattle stranded and facing starvation;

                (4) the situation is of such magnitude that it is beyond the control of local governments; and

                (5) state expenditures are necessary to provide those resources and services necessary to avoid or minimize economic or physical harm until the situation becomes stabilized and again under local self-support and control.

          B. Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the local government division of the department of finance and administration for expenditure in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to take any action necessary to alleviate the emergency situation in Rio Arriba county and the village of Chama and its surrounding communities, including expenditures on a temporary, emergency basis for lodging, sheltering, health care, food, snow removal and any transportation or shipping necessary to protect lives or public property or for any other action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare as follows:

                (1) one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the village of Chama and its surrounding communities; and

                (2) two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for Rio Arriba county.

          C. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance of the appropriation in Subsection B of this section remaining at the end of fiscal year 2009 shall 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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