HOUSE BILL 663

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Richard D. Vigil

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING POWER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CLOSE HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES.

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

     Section 1. Section 66-7-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 280, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "66-7-11. [NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE] DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POWER TO CLOSE CERTAIN HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES.--Notwithstanding any rule [regulation] or agreement of the [state highway] department of transportation, the [New Mexico state police] department of public safety, in cases of emergency where the condition of a state highway presents a substantial danger to vehicular travel by reason of storm, fire, accident, spillage of hazardous materials or other unusual or dangerous conditions, may close [such] the highway to vehicular travel until [the New Mexico state police] it determines otherwise. The [state highway] department of transportation shall be notified of the highway closure as soon as practicable."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.

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