SENATE BILL 401

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCIES; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978 TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION AMOUNT FOR DECLARED EMERGENCIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 12-11-24 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1955, Chapter 185, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "12-11-24. PROVISIONAL APPROPRIATION.--For the purposes set out in Section [6-7-1] 12-11-23 NMSA 1978, when and if the governor [shall declare] declares an emergency, as provided in Section [6-7-3] 12-11-25 NMSA 1978, [there is appropriated the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000)] one million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated for each eligible and qualified applicant or so much thereof as the governor may from time to time designate from the surplus unappropriated money in the general fund, if any, at the time of the declaration of [such] the emergency [or emergencies]."

     SECTION 2. Section 12-11-25 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1955, Chapter 185, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "12-11-25. EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS--MANNER.--The money appropriated by Sections [6-7-1 and 6-7-2] 12-11-23 and

12-11-24 NMSA 1978 shall be expended for disaster relief for any disaster declared by the governor to be of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and requiring the resources of the state. The funds shall be expended by the governor or [any] an agent or agency designated by [him] the governor for those purposes, either as a state project or for securing matching federal funds. The money shall be paid out upon warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration upon vouchers approved by the governor or an agent or agency designated by [him] the governor for that purpose. As used in this section, "state project" means an expenditure by a state agency to provide those resources and services necessary to avoid or minimize economic or physical harm until a situation becomes stabilized and again under local self-support and control. "State project" may include any expenditure on a temporary, emergency basis for lodging, sheltering, health care, food, 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."

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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