HOUSE BILL 453
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Susan K. Herrera and Andrea Romero and Ambrose Castellano and Derrick J. Lente and Christine Chandler
AN ACT
RELATING TO WATER; CREATING THE EMERGENCY DRINKING WATER FUND TO PROVIDE POTABLE WATER TO A COMMUNITY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHEN THE COMMUNITY'S WATER SYSTEM FAILS TO FUNCTION AT A LEVEL REQUIRED TO PROVIDE WATER TO THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] EMERGENCY DRINKING WATER FUND CREATED.--
A. The "emergency drinking water fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, bequests, income from investment of the fund and other money distributed or otherwise allocated to the fund. The department of environment shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to carry out the purposes of the fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of environment or the secretary's authorized representative.
B. The emergency drinking water fund shall be used by the department of environment to provide potable water to a community in an emergency situation when a water system that provides water to the community fails to function at a level required to provide water to the community's residents; provided that the failure of the water system occurs due to an act of nature or unpredictable event not within human control.
SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the emergency drinking water fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2024 and subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of the emergency drinking water fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.
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