HOUSE BILL 431

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Garcia

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE AIR QUALITY CONTROL ACT; PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF FEES TO SUPPORT THE REASONABLE COSTS OF A GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REPORTING AND REGISTRY PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the Air Quality Control Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REPORTING AND REGISTRY PROGRAM--FEES.--

          A. The environmental improvement board or the local board may adopt rules for and a schedule of fees sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of:

                (1)  preparing and maintaining a greenhouse gas emissions inventory; and               

                (2) developing and maintaining a greenhouse gas emissions reporting and registry program.

          B. Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in:

                (1)  the state air quality permit fund created pursuant to Section 74-2-15 NMSA 1978 if collected by the department; or

                (2) a fund created pursuant to Section 74-2-16 NMSA 1978 if collected by a local agency pursuant to a permit regulation adopted by the local board pursuant to this section.

          C. As used in this section:

                (1) "greenhouse gas" means carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons or sulfur hexafluoride; and

                (2) "greenhouse gas emissions reporting and registry program" means a system that provides for the annual tracking and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and emission reductions from entities."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2007.

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