HOUSE BILL 473

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Alonzo Baldonado and Patricio Ruiloba

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; CREATING THE SCHOOL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

      "[NEW MATERIAL] SCHOOL SECURITY EQUIPMENT FUND--CREATED--USES--DISTRIBUTION.-- 

          A. The "school security equipment fund" is created in the state treasury for the purpose of assisting school districts in the purchase of security vehicles and other security equipment that is not eligible for funding pursuant to Section 22-24-4.7 NMSA 1978. The fund shall consist of appropriations, donations and other revenue that is distributed to the fund. Money in the fund shall be disbursed by warrant of the department of finance and administration on vouchers signed by the secretary of finance and administration following certification by the public education department that an application has been approved. Money in the fund shall not revert at the end of a fiscal year but shall remain to the credit of the fund.

          B. The department shall establish by rule procedures for:

                (1) a school district to apply for grants from the school security equipment fund; 

                (2) ranking grant applications; and

                (3) determining that an applicant is willing and able to pay the portion of the cost of the security vehicles and equipment not funded with grant assistance from the school security equipment fund.

          C. The state share of the cost of an approved grant from the school security equipment fund shall be calculated according to the methodology outlined in Subsection B of Section 22-24-5 NMSA 1978.

          D. After a public hearing, and to the extent that money is available in the fund, the department shall award grants to school districts for the purchase of security vehicles and equipment.

          E. A school district that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall expend the grant money within two years of the grant award. Money not spent or encumbered in that time shall revert to the school security equipment fund."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the school security equipment fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 and subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2019.

- 3 -