A. The “uranium mining reclamation revolving fund” is created in the state treasury. The uranium mining reclamation revolving fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and money received by the department of environment or the energy, minerals and natural resources department from the federal government or other state agencies and other sources for conducting uranium mine and mill reclamation activities. Money recovered for the state by or on behalf of the department of environment or the energy, minerals and natural resources department from uranium mine or mill reclamation related litigation or settlements shall be deposited in the uranium mining reclamation revolving fund.

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 9-7A-17

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.

B. The uranium mining reclamation revolving fund shall be administered by the department of environment. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature. Expenditures may be made from the fund for the department of environment or the energy, minerals and natural resources department to undertake projects to reclaim uranium mine and mill sites, including the acquisition of tools and equipment; expenses incurred by the department of environment or the energy, minerals and natural resources department in planning, supervising and completing uranium mine and mill reclamation projects; and expenses incurred in litigation involving uranium mine or mill sites; provided that money in the fund shall not be used for the operational expenses of the department of environment or the energy, minerals and natural resources department. 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 of energy, minerals and natural resources or their designees.

C. Money in the uranium mining reclamation revolving fund shall not revert to the general fund at the end of a fiscal year.