HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 660

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

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; ESTABLISHING A SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH PARK AND ACADEMY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCH PARK AND ACADEMY.--

          A. There is established at northern New Mexico state school a "solar energy research park and academy" to conduct applied research on solar energy storage devices, on photovoltaic technology, on solar thermal and concentrated solar technologies and on other alternative renewable energy sources. Northern New Mexico state school shall collaborate with Los Alamos national laboratory to develop technology transfer applications related to solar energy.

          B. In addition to the research park, the academy shall provide new academic programs, including three levels of engineering degrees: associate of science, bachelor of science

and master of science in mechanical engineering with a major in solar energy.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two million dollars ($2,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of northern New Mexico state school for expenditure in fiscal year 2009 and subsequent fiscal years to establish the solar energy research park and academy. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

- 2 -