SENATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 574

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

AN ACT

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS; ALLOWING FOR THE SUSPENSION OF SOME OR ALL MUNICIPAL SERVICES, PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PROVIDED BY PERSONS WHOSE RATES ARE REGULATED BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION WHEN A RESIDENT IS DEPLOYED OR TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED; REQUIRING RECONNECTION OR NEW CONNECTION WITHOUT CHARGE.

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

     SECTION 1. MILITARY DEPLOYMENT--MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND UTILITIES DISCONTINUED.--

          A. When a resident is a member of a branch of the United States armed forces, the reserves or the New Mexico national guard and is deployed or on temporary duty assignment outside the resident's community for more than thirty days, the resident may suspend some or all municipal services, public utilities or telecommunications services provided by persons whose rates are regulated by the municipality or the public regulation commission for the home of the resident without a penalty. The resident shall certify to the municipality or other service providers that:

                (1) the resident has orders to deploy or to be temporarily assigned outside the resident's community;

                (2) the service is in the resident's name;

                (3) the resident owns the home or has a lease that does not preclude suspension of municipal services or utilities; and

                (4) family members or other persons will not be staying in the home during the time the resident is deployed or temporarily assigned.

          B. Upon return from deployment or temporary duty assignment to the resident's community, the resident shall be allowed to reconnect the suspended municipal services, public utilities or telecommunications services without having to pay a reconnection fee. Except for new equipment or installation of equipment, the resident may establish new service at a new address without paying a connection fee.

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