New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

New Mexico Senate Bill SB22 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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28	28	SENATE BILL 22
29	29	57
30	30	TH LEGISLATURE
31	31	-
32	32
33	33	STATE
34	34
35	35	OF
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37	37	NEW
38	38
39	39	MEXICO
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41	41	-
42	42	FIRST SESSION
43	43	,
44	44
45	45	2025
46	46	INTRODUCED BY
47	47	Peter Wirth and Kristina Ortez
48	48	AN ACT
49	49	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; ALPHABETIZING AND ADDING
50	50	DEFINITIONS TO THE WATER QUALITY ACT; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN
51	51	WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION RULES RELATING TO THE
52	52	REGULATION OF WATER POLLUTION; CREATING THE NEGLECTED AND
53	53	CONTAMINATED SITES FUND; PROVIDING FOR GENERAL PERMIT COVERAGE
54	54	FOR MULTIPLE DISCHARGERS; REVISING THE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
55	55	FUND AND DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN PENALTIES; ALLOWING FOR THE
56	56	DENIAL OF PERMITS THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO WATER CONTAMINANT
57	57	LEVELS IN EXCESS OF DOWNSTREAM STATE OR TRIBAL WATER QUALITY
58	58	STANDARDS; AMENDING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER QUALITY ACT
59	59	PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN USES OF PERMIT FEES; AMENDING
60	60	THE PURPOSES OF THE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT FUND; CREATING
61	61	CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS FOR SURFACE WATER DISCHARGES; MAKING AN
62	62	APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
63	63	.229483.3SA underscored material = new
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90	90	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
91	91	SECTION 1. Section 74-6-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967,
92	92	Chapter 190, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
93	93	"74-6-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Water Quality Act:
94	94	[A. "gray water" means untreated household
95	95	wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste and
96	96	includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, washbasins, clothes
97	97	washing machines and laundry tubs, but does not include
98	98	wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers or laundry water
99	99	from the washing of material soiled with human excreta, such as
100	100	diapers;
101	101	B. "water contaminant" means any substance that
102	102	could alter, if discharged or spilled, the physical, chemical,
103	103	biological or radiological qualities of water. "Water
104	104	contaminant" does not mean source, special nuclear or byproduct
105	105	material as defined by the federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954;
106	106	C. "water pollution" means introducing or
107	107	permitting the introduction into water, either directly or
108	108	indirectly, of one or more water contaminants in such quantity
109	109	and of such duration as may with reasonable probability injure
110	110	human health, animal or plant life or property, or to
111	111	unreasonably interfere with the public welfare or the use of
112	112	property;
113	113	D. "wastes" means sewage, industrial wastes or any
114	114	other liquid, gaseous or solid substance that may pollute any
115	115	.229483.3SA
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143	143	waters of the state;
144	144	E. "sewer system" means pipelines, conduits,
145	145	pumping stations, force mains or any other structures, devices,
146	146	appurtenances or facilities used for collecting or conducting
147	147	wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal;
148	148	F. "treatment works" means any plant or other works
149	149	used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding
150	150	wastes;
151	151	G. "sewerage system" means a system for disposing
152	152	of wastes, either by surface or underground methods, and
153	153	includes sewer systems, treatment works, disposal wells and
154	154	other systems;
155	155	H. "water" means all water, including water
156	156	situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon the state,
157	157	whether surface or subsurface, public or private, except
158	158	private waters that do not combine with other surface or
159	159	subsurface water;
160	160	I. "person" means an individual or any other
161	161	entity, including partnerships, corporations, associations,
162	162	responsible business or association agents or officers, the
163	163	state or a political subdivision of the state or any agency,
164	164	department or instrumentality of the United States and any of
165	165	its officers, agents or employees; ]
166	166	A. "barrier" means a technical, including any log
167	167	reduction credits assigned, operational or managerial measure
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196	196	to control microbial or chemical constituents;
197	197	[J.] B. "commission" means the water quality
198	198	control commission;
199	199	[K.] C. "constituent agency" means, as the context
200	200	may require, any or all of the following agencies of the state:
201	201	(1) the department [of environment ];
202	202	(2) the state engineer and the interstate
203	203	stream commission;
204	204	(3) the department of game and fish;
205	205	(4) the oil conservation commission;
206	206	(5) the state parks division of the energy,
207	207	minerals and natural resources department;
208	208	(6) the New Mexico department of agriculture;
209	209	(7) the soil and water conservation
210	210	commission; and
211	211	(8) the bureau of geology and mineral
212	212	resources at the New Mexico institute of mining and technology;
213	213	[L. "new source" means:
214	214	(1) any source, the construction of which is
215	215	commenced after the publication of proposed regulations
216	216	prescribing a standard of performance applicable to the source;
217	217	or
218	218	(2) any existing source when modified to treat
219	219	substantial additional volumes or when there is a substantial
220	220	change in the character of water contaminants treated;
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249	249	M. "source" means a building, structure, facility
250	250	or installation from which there is or may be a discharge of
251	251	water contaminants directly or indirectly into water;
252	252	N. "septage" means the residual wastes and water
253	253	periodically pumped from a liquid waste treatment unit or from
254	254	a holding tank for maintenance or disposal purposes;
255	255	O. "sludge" means solid, semi-solid or liquid waste
256	256	generated from a municipal, commercial or industrial wastewater
257	257	treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution
258	258	control facility that is associated with the treatment of these
259	259	wastes. "Sludge" does not mean treated effluent from a
260	260	wastewater treatment plant;
261	261	P. "substantial adverse environmental impact" means
262	262	that an act or omission of the violator causes harm or damage:
263	263	(1) to human beings; or
264	264	(2) that amounts to more than ten thousand
265	265	dollars ($10,000) damage or mitigation costs to flora,
266	266	including agriculture crops; fish or other aquatic life;
267	267	waterfowl or other birds; livestock or wildlife or damage to
268	268	their habitats; ground water or surface water; or the lands of
269	269	the state;
270	270	Q. "federal act" means the Federal Water Pollution
271	271	Control Act, its subsequent amendment and successor provisions;
272	272	R. "standards of performance" means any standard,
273	273	effluent limitation or effluent standard adopted pursuant to
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302	302	the federal act or the Water Quality Act; and
303	303	S. "produced water" means a fluid that is an
304	304	incidental byproduct from drilling for or the production of oil
305	305	and gas]
306	306	D. "compensatory mitigation" means the process of
307	307	restoring, establishing, enhancing or preserving wetlands,
308	308	streams or other aquatic resources to offset unavoidable
309	309	adverse impacts that remain after appropriate and practicable
310	310	avoidance and minimization measures have been achieved;
311	311	E. "department" means the department of
312	312	environment;
313	313	F. "facility" means all contiguous land, and
314	314	structures, other appurtenances and improvements on the land,
315	315	including any building, installation, equipment, pipe or
316	316	pipeline, including any pipe into a sewer or publicly owned
317	317	treatment works, well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch,
318	318	landfill, storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock or
319	319	aircraft, or any site or area where a water contaminant has
320	320	been, is currently or is proposed to be managed, treated,
321	321	deposited, stored, disposed of or placed or otherwise come to
322	322	be located;
323	323	G. "federal act" means the Federal Water Pollution
324	324	Control Act, its subsequent amendment and successor provisions;
325	325	H. "general permit" means a permit that applies to
326	326	one or more categories or subcategories of discharges, sludge
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355	355	use or disposal practices or facilities within a geographic
356	356	area, including the state or a region, basin or watershed in
357	357	the state;
358	358	I. "general permit coverage" means authorization to
359	359	discharge pursuant to a general permit and any additional
360	360	permit conditions required by a constituent agency;
361	361	J. "gray water" means untreated household
362	362	wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste and
363	363	includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, washbasins, clothes
364	364	washing machines and laundry tubs, but does not include
365	365	wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers or laundry water
366	366	from the washing of material soiled with human excreta, such as
367	367	diapers;
368	368	K. "new source" means:
369	369	(1) any source, the construction of which is
370	370	commenced after the publication of proposed rules prescribing a
371	371	standard of performance applicable to the source; or
372	372	(2) an existing source when modified to treat
373	373	substantial additional volumes or when there is a substantial
374	374	change in the character of water contaminants treated;
375	375	L. "pathogen" means a microorganism capable of
376	376	causing illness in humans;
377	377	M. "person" means an individual or other entity,
378	378	including partnerships, corporations, associations, a
379	379	responsible business or association agents or officers, the
380	380	.229483.3SA
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408	408	state or a political subdivision of the state or an agency, a
409	409	department or an instrumentality of the United States and any
410	410	of its officers, agents or employees;
411	411	N. "produced water" means a fluid that is an
412	412	incidental byproduct from drilling for or the production of oil
413	413	and gas;
414	414	O. "responsible party" means those persons
415	415	described in Section 107(a) of the federal Comprehensive
416	416	Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
417	417	1980;
418	418	P. "septage" means the residual wastes and water
419	419	periodically pumped from a liquid waste treatment unit or
420	420	holding tank for maintenance or disposal purposes;
421	421	Q. "sewer system" means pipelines, conduits,
422	422	pumping stations, force mains or other structures, devices,
423	423	appurtenances or facilities used for collecting or conducting
424	424	wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal;
425	425	R. "sewerage system" means a system for disposing
426	426	of wastes, either by surface or underground methods, and
427	427	includes sewer systems, treatment works, disposal wells and
428	428	other systems;
429	429	S. "sludge" means solid, semi-solid or liquid waste
430	430	generated from a municipal, commercial or industrial wastewater
431	431	treatment plant, a water supply treatment plant or an air
432	432	pollution control facility that is associated with the
433	433	.229483.3SA
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461	461	treatment of these wastes. "Sludge" does not mean treated
462	462	effluent from a wastewater treatment plant;
463	463	T. "source" means a building, a structure, a
464	464	facility or an installation from which there is or may be a
465	465	discharge of water contaminants directly or indirectly into
466	466	water;
467	467	U. "standards of performance" means a standard,
468	468	effluent limitation or effluent standard adopted pursuant to
469	469	the federal act or the Water Quality Act;
470	470	V. "substantial adverse environmental impact" means
471	471	that an act or omission of the violator causes harm or damage:
472	472	(1) to human beings; or
473	473	(2) that amounts to more than ten thousand
474	474	dollars ($10,000) damage or mitigation costs to flora,
475	475	including agriculture crops; fish or other aquatic life;
476	476	waterfowl or other birds; livestock or wildlife or damage to
477	477	their habitats; ground water or surface water; or the lands of
478	478	the state;
479	479	W. "treatment works" means a plant or other works
480	480	used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding
481	481	wastes;
482	482	X. "wastes" means sewage, industrial wastes or
483	483	other liquid, gaseous or solid substances that may pollute the
484	484	waters of the state;
485	485	Y. "water" means all water, including water
486	486	.229483.3SA
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514	514	situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon the state,
515	515	whether surface or subsurface, public or private, except
516	516	private waters that do not combine with other surface or
517	517	subsurface water;
518	518	Z. "water contaminant" means a substance that could
519	519	alter, if discharged or spilled, the physical, chemical,
520	520	biological or radiological qualities of water. "Water
521	521	contaminant" does not mean source, special nuclear or byproduct
522	522	material as defined by the federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954;
523	523	and
524	524	AA. "water pollution" means introducing or
525	525	permitting the introduction into water, either directly or
526	526	indirectly, of one or more water contaminants in a quantity and
527	527	duration as may with reasonable probability injure human
528	528	health, animal or plant life or property or to unreasonably
529	529	interfere with the public welfare or the use of property ."
530	530	SECTION 2. Section 74-6-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967,
531	531	Chapter 190, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:
532	532	"74-6-4. DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION.--The
533	533	commission:
534	534	A. may accept and supervise the administration of
535	535	loans and grants from the federal government and from other
536	536	sources, public or private, which loans and grants shall not be
537	537	expended for [other than the ] purposes [for which ] other than
538	538	those provided;
539	539	.229483.3SA
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567	567	B. shall adopt a comprehensive water quality
568	568	management program and develop a continuing planning process;
569	569	C. shall not adopt or promulgate a standard or
570	570	[regulation] rule that exceeds a grant of rulemaking authority
571	571	listed in the statutory section of the Water Quality Act
572	572	authorizing the standard or [regulation ] rule;
573	573	D. shall adopt water quality standards for surface
574	574	and ground waters of the state based on credible scientific
575	575	data and other evidence appropriate under the Water Quality
576	576	Act. The standards shall include narrative standards and, as
577	577	appropriate, the designated uses of the waters and the water
578	578	quality criteria necessary to protect such uses. The standards
579	579	shall at a minimum protect the public health or welfare,
580	580	enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of the
581	581	Water Quality Act. In making standards, the commission shall
582	582	give weight it deems appropriate to all facts and
583	583	circumstances, including the use and value of the water for
584	584	water supplies, propagation of fish and wildlife, recreational
585	585	purposes and agricultural, industrial and other purposes;
586	586	E. shall adopt [promulgate and publish regulations ]
587	587	rules to prevent or abate water pollution in the state or in
588	588	any specific geographic area, aquifer or watershed of the state
589	589	or in any part thereof, or for any class of waters, and to
590	590	govern the disposal of septage and sludge and the use of sludge
591	591	for various beneficial purposes. The [regulations ] rules
592	592	.229483.3SA
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620	620	governing the disposal of septage and sludge may include the
621	621	use of tracking and permitting systems or other reasonable
622	622	means necessary to assure that septage and sludge are
623	623	designated for disposal in, and arrive at, disposal facilities,
624	624	other than facilities on the premises where the septage and
625	625	sludge is generated, for which a permit or other authorization
626	626	has been issued pursuant to the federal act or the Water
627	627	Quality Act. [Regulations ] Rules may specify a standard of
628	628	performance for new sources that reflects the greatest
629	629	reduction in the concentration of water contaminants that the
630	630	commission determines to be achievable through application of
631	631	the best available demonstrated control technology, processes,
632	632	operating methods or other alternatives, including where
633	633	practicable a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants.
634	634	The rules governing the prevention or abatement of water
635	635	pollution shall include provisions for the responsible party
636	636	and defenses of the responsible party that are equivalent to
637	637	and no less stringent than federal regulations adopted pursuant
638	638	to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
639	639	Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. In making
640	640	[regulations] rules, the commission shall give weight it deems
641	641	appropriate to all relevant facts and circumstances, including:
642	642	(1) the character and degree of injury to or
643	643	interference with health, welfare, environment and property;
644	644	(2) the public interest, including the social
645	645	.229483.3SA
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673	673	and economic value of the sources of water contaminants;
674	674	(3) the technical practicability and economic
675	675	reasonableness of reducing or eliminating water contaminants
676	676	from the sources involved and previous experience with
677	677	equipment and methods available to control the water
678	678	contaminants involved;
679	679	(4) the successive uses, including domestic,
680	680	commercial, industrial, pastoral, agricultural, wildlife and
681	681	recreational uses;
682	682	(5) feasibility of a user or a subsequent user
683	683	treating the water before a subsequent use;
684	684	(6) property rights and accustomed uses; and
685	685	(7) federal water quality requirements;
686	686	F. shall assign responsibility for administering
687	687	its [regulations] rules to constituent agencies [so as ] to
688	688	assure adequate coverage and prevent duplication of effort. To
689	689	this end, the commission may make such classification of waters
690	690	and sources of water contaminants as will facilitate the
691	691	assignment of administrative responsibilities to constituent
692	692	agencies. The commission shall also hear and decide disputes
693	693	between constituent agencies as to jurisdiction concerning
694	694	[any] matters within the purpose of the Water Quality Act. In
695	695	assigning responsibilities to constituent agencies, the
696	696	commission shall give priority to the primary interests of the
697	697	constituent agencies. The department [of environment ] shall
698	698	.229483.3SA
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726	726	provide technical services, including certification of permits
727	727	pursuant to the federal act, and shall maintain a repository of
728	728	the scientific data required by the Water Quality Act;
729	729	G. may enter into or authorize constituent agencies
730	730	to enter into agreements with the federal government or other
731	731	state governments for purposes consistent with the Water
732	732	Quality Act and receive and allocate to constituent agencies
733	733	funds made available to the commission;
734	734	H. may grant an individual variance from [any
735	735	regulation] a rule of the commission whenever it is found that
736	736	compliance with the [regulation ] rule will impose an
737	737	unreasonable burden upon any lawful business, occupation or
738	738	activity. The commission may only grant a variance conditioned
739	739	upon a person effecting a particular abatement of water
740	740	pollution within a reasonable period of time. [Any ] A variance
741	741	shall be granted for the period of time specified by the
742	742	commission. The commission shall adopt [regulations ] rules
743	743	specifying the procedure under which variances may be sought,
744	744	which [regulations] rules shall provide for the holding of a
745	745	public hearing before [any ] a variance may be granted;
746	746	I. may adopt [regulations ] rules to require the
747	747	filing with [it] the commission or a constituent agency of
748	748	proposed plans and specifications for the construction and
749	749	operation of new sewer systems, treatment works or sewerage
750	750	systems or extensions, modifications of or additions to new or
751	751	.229483.3SA
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779	779	existing sewer systems, treatment works or sewerage systems.
780	780	Filing with and approval by the federal housing administration
781	781	of plans for an extension to an existing or construction of a
782	782	new sewerage system intended to serve a subdivision solely
783	783	residential in nature shall be deemed compliance with all
784	784	provisions of this subsection;
785	785	J. may adopt [regulations ] rules requiring notice
786	786	to [it] the commission or a constituent agency of intent to
787	787	introduce or allow the introduction of water contaminants into
788	788	waters of the state;
789	789	K. shall specify in [regulations ] rules the
790	790	measures to be taken to prevent water pollution and to monitor
791	791	water quality. The commission may adopt [regulations ] rules
792	792	for particular industries. The commission shall adopt
793	793	[regulations] rules for the dairy industry and the copper
794	794	industry. The commission shall consider, in addition to the
795	795	factors listed in Subsection E of this section, the best
796	796	available scientific information. The [regulations ] rules may
797	797	include variations in requirements based on site-specific
798	798	factors, such as depth and distance to ground water and
799	799	geological and hydrological conditions. The constituent agency
800	800	shall establish an advisory committee composed of persons with
801	801	knowledge and expertise particular to the industry category and
802	802	other interested stakeholders to advise the constituent agency
803	803	on appropriate [regulations ] rules to be proposed for adoption
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832	832	by the commission. The [regulations ] rules shall be developed
833	833	and adopted in accordance with a schedule approved by the
834	834	commission. The schedule shall incorporate an opportunity for
835	835	public input and stakeholder negotiations;
836	836	L. may adopt [regulations ] rules establishing
837	837	pretreatment standards that prohibit or control the
838	838	introduction into publicly owned sewerage systems of water
839	839	contaminants that are not susceptible to treatment by the
840	840	treatment works or that would interfere with the operation of
841	841	the treatment works;
842	842	M. shall not require a permit respecting the use of
843	843	water in irrigated agriculture, except in the case of the
844	844	employment of a specific practice in connection with [such ] the
845	845	irrigation that documentation or actual case history has shown
846	846	to be hazardous to public health or the environment or for the
847	847	use of produced water;
848	848	N. shall not require a permit for applying less
849	849	than two hundred fifty gallons per day of private residential
850	850	gray water originating from a residence for the resident's
851	851	household gardening, composting or landscape irrigation if:
852	852	(1) a constructed gray water distribution
853	853	system provides for overflow into the sewer system or on-site
854	854	wastewater treatment and disposal system;
855	855	(2) a gray water storage tank is covered to
856	856	restrict access and to eliminate habitat for mosquitos or other
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885	885	vectors;
886	886	(3) a gray water system is sited outside of a
887	887	floodway;
888	888	(4) gray water is vertically separated at
889	889	least five feet above the ground water table;
890	890	(5) gray water pressure piping is clearly
891	891	identified as a nonpotable water conduit;
892	892	(6) gray water is used on the site where it is
893	893	generated and does not run off the property lines;
894	894	(7) gray water is applied in a manner that
895	895	minimizes the potential for contact with people or domestic
896	896	pets;
897	897	(8) ponding is prohibited, application of gray
898	898	water is managed to minimize standing water on the surface and
899	899	to ensure that the hydraulic capacity of the soil is not
900	900	exceeded;
901	901	(9) gray water is not sprayed;
902	902	(10) gray water is not discharged to a
903	903	watercourse; and
904	904	(11) gray water use within municipalities or
905	905	counties complies with all applicable municipal or county
906	906	ordinances enacted pursuant to Chapter 3, Article 53 NMSA 1978;
907	907	O. shall coordinate application procedures and
908	908	funding cycles for loans and grants from the federal
909	909	government and from other sources, public or private, with
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938	938	the local government division of the department of finance
939	939	and administration pursuant to the New Mexico Community
940	940	Assistance Act;
941	941	P. shall adopt [regulations ] rules to be
942	942	administered by the department [of environment ] for the
943	943	discharge, handling, transport, storage, recycling or treatment
944	944	for the disposition of treated produced water, including
945	945	disposition in road construction maintenance, roadway ice or
946	946	dust control or other construction, or in the application of
947	947	treated produced water to land, for activities unrelated to the
948	948	exploration, drilling, production, treatment or refinement of
949	949	oil or gas; [and]
950	950	Q. [may] shall adopt [regulations] rules to be
951	951	administered by the department [of environment ] for surface
952	952	water discharges, including discharges of dredged or fill
953	953	materials. In making the rules, the commission shall give
954	954	weight the commission deems appropriate to relevant facts and
955	955	circumstances, including those identified in Subsection E of
956	956	this section. For discharges of dredged or fill material, the
957	957	rules shall prioritize avoidance and minimization of adverse
958	958	impacts to wetlands, streams and other aquatic resources and
959	959	may require compensatory mitigation for unavoidable adverse
960	960	impacts that remain after appropriate and practicable avoidance
961	961	and minimization measures have been achieved;
962	962	R. shall adopt rules to be administered by the
963	963	.229483.3SA
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991	991	department for state-led response, investigation and
992	992	remediation of water pollution and contamination in soil and
993	993	soil vapor for the protection of human health and the
994	994	environment; and
995	995	S. shall adopt rules to be administered by the
996	996	department to govern the transfer and use of treated wastewater
997	997	for potable reuse. The rules may specify a standard of
998	998	performance, including log reduction for pathogen removal,
999	999	critical control points, barriers and the greatest reduction in
1000	1000	the concentration of water contaminants and pathogens that the
1001	1001	commission determines to be achievable through application of
1002	1002	the best available demonstrated control technology, processes,
1003	1003	operating methods or other alternatives, including, where
1004	1004	practicable, a standard permitting no risk to human health.
1005	1005	The rules governing the potable reuse of wastewater may include
1006	1006	the use of existing permitting systems or create new permitting
1007	1007	rules that include the means necessary to assure that potable
1008	1008	reuse projects are conducted in a manner that is directly
1009	1009	protective of human health ."
1010	1010	SECTION 3. Section 74-6-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973,
1011	1011	Chapter 326, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:
1012	1012	"74-6-5. PERMITS--CERTIFICATION--APPEALS TO COMMISSION.--
1013	1013	A. By [regulation] rule, the commission may require
1014	1014	[persons] a person to obtain from a constituent agency
1015	1015	designated by the commission a permit or general permit
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1044	1044	coverage for the discharge of [any ] a water contaminant or for
1045	1045	the disposal or reuse of septage or sludge.
1046	1046	B. The commission shall adopt [regulations ] rules
1047	1047	establishing procedures for certifying federal water quality
1048	1048	permits.
1049	1049	C. Prior to the issuance of a permit or approval of
1050	1050	general permit coverage , the constituent agency may require the
1051	1051	submission of plans, specifications and other relevant
1052	1052	information that it deems necessary.
1053	1053	D. The commission shall by [regulation ] rule set
1054	1054	the dates upon which applications for permits shall be filed
1055	1055	and designate the time periods within which the constituent
1056	1056	agency shall, after the filing of an administratively complete
1057	1057	application for a permit, either grant the permit, grant the
1058	1058	permit subject to conditions or deny the permit. The
1059	1059	constituent agency has the burden of showing that each
1060	1060	condition is reasonable and necessary to ensure compliance with
1061	1061	the Water Quality Act and applicable [regulations ] rules,
1062	1062	considering site-specific conditions. After [regulations ]
1063	1063	rules have been adopted for a particular industry, permits for
1064	1064	facilities in that industry shall be subject to conditions
1065	1065	contained in the [regulations ] rules. Additional conditions on
1066	1066	a final permit may be imposed if the applicant is provided with
1067	1067	an opportunity to review and provide comments in writing on the
1068	1068	draft permit conditions and to receive a written explanation of
1069	1069	.229483.3SA
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1097	1097	the reasons for the conditions from the constituent agency.
1098	1098	E. The constituent agency shall deny [any ] an
1099	1099	application for a permit or request for general permit coverage
1100	1100	or deny the certification of a federal water quality permit if:
1101	1101	(1) the effluent would not meet applicable
1102	1102	state or federal effluent regulations, standards of performance
1103	1103	or limitations;
1104	1104	(2) [any] a provision of the Water Quality Act
1105	1105	would be violated;
1106	1106	(3) the discharge would cause or contribute to
1107	1107	water contaminant levels in excess of [any ] a state or federal
1108	1108	standard. Determination of the discharge's effect on ground
1109	1109	water shall be measured at [any ] a place of withdrawal of water
1110	1110	for present or reasonably foreseeable future use.
1111	1111	Determination of the discharge's effect on surface waters shall
1112	1112	be measured at the point of discharge; [or ]
1113	1113	(4) the surface water discharge would cause or
1114	1114	contribute to water contaminant levels in excess of a
1115	1115	downstream state or tribal water quality standard; or
1116	1116	[(4)] (5) the applicant has, within the ten
1117	1117	years immediately preceding the date of submission of the
1118	1118	permit application or request for general permit coverage :
1119	1119	(a) knowingly misrepresented a material
1120	1120	fact in an application for a permit or request for general
1121	1121	permit coverage;
1122	1122	.229483.3SA
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1150	1150	(b) refused or failed to disclose [any ]
1151	1151	information required [under ] pursuant to the Water Quality Act;
1152	1152	(c) been convicted of a felony or other
1153	1153	crime involving moral turpitude;
1154	1154	(d) been convicted of a felony in [any ]
1155	1155	court for [any] a crime defined by state or federal law as
1156	1156	being a restraint of trade, price-fixing, bribery or fraud;
1157	1157	(e) exhibited a history of willful
1158	1158	disregard for environmental laws of [any ] a state or the United
1159	1159	States; or
1160	1160	(f) had an environmental permit revoked
1161	1161	or permanently suspended for cause under [any ] environmental
1162	1162	laws of [any] a state or the United States.
1163	1163	F. The commission shall by [regulation ] rule
1164	1164	develop procedures that ensure that the public, affected
1165	1165	governmental agencies, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos and
1166	1166	any other state whose water may be affected shall receive
1167	1167	notice of each [application for issuance, renewal or
1168	1168	modification of a] draft permit. Public notice shall include
1169	1169	the following, except that for a general permit, Paragraphs (1)
1170	1170	and (3) of this subsection shall not be required :
1171	1171	(1) [for issuance or modification of a permit:
1172	1172	(a)] notice [by mail] to adjacent and nearby landowners using
1173	1173	postal or electronic mail, text messages or a combination of
1174	1174	these methods;
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1203	1203	(2) notice to potentially affected local,
1204	1204	state and federal [governments ] government agencies , land grant
1205	1205	organizations, ditch associations and Indian nations, tribes
1206	1206	[or] and pueblos using postal or electronic mail ;
1207	1207	[(b)] (3) posting at a place conspicuous to
1208	1208	the public and near the discharge or proposed discharge site;
1209	1209	[and (c) a display advertisement in English and Spanish ]
1210	1210	(4) notice to the general public and others
1211	1211	whom the commission deems appropriate using one or more
1212	1212	reasonable and appropriate methods, such as electronic mail to
1213	1213	persons who have requested notification, social media posts,
1214	1214	radio announcements or advertisements in a newspaper of general
1215	1215	circulation in the location of the discharge or proposed
1216	1216	discharge; [provided, however, that the advertisement shall not
1217	1217	be displayed in the classified or legal advertisement sections ]
1218	1218	and
1219	1219	[(2) for issuance of renewals of permits:
1220	1220	(a) notice by mail to the interested
1221	1221	public, municipalities, counties, land grant organizations,
1222	1222	ditch associations and Indian nations, tribes or pueblos; and
1223	1223	(b) a display advertisement in English
1224	1224	and Spanish in a newspaper of general circulation in the
1225	1225	location of the discharge; provided, however, that the
1226	1226	advertisement shall not be displayed in the classified or legal
1227	1227	advertisement sections ]
1228	1228	.229483.3SA
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1256	1256	(5) consideration of the languages spoken by
1257	1257	and the communication methods accessible to the intended
1258	1258	recipients of the public notice .
1259	1259	G. No ruling shall be made on [any application for ]
1260	1260	a draft permit without opportunity for a public hearing at
1261	1261	which all interested persons shall be given a reasonable chance
1262	1262	to submit evidence, data, views or arguments orally or in
1263	1263	writing and to examine witnesses testifying at the hearing.
1264	1264	The hearing shall be recorded. [Any ] A person submitting
1265	1265	evidence, data, views or arguments shall be subject to
1266	1266	examination at the hearing.
1267	1267	H. The commission may adopt [regulations ] rules for
1268	1268	the operation and maintenance of the permitted facility,
1269	1269	including requirements, as may be necessary or desirable, that
1270	1270	relate to continuity of operation, personnel training and
1271	1271	financial responsibility, including financial responsibility
1272	1272	for corrective action.
1273	1273	I. Permits shall be issued for fixed terms [not to
1274	1274	exceed] of five years, except that surface water permits may be
1275	1275	issued for fixed terms of up to ten years . For new discharges,
1276	1276	the term of the permit shall commence on the date the discharge
1277	1277	begins, but in no event shall the term of the permit exceed
1278	1278	seven years from the date the permit was issued.
1279	1279	J. By [regulation] rule, the commission may impose
1280	1280	reasonable conditions upon permits requiring permittees to:
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1309	1309	(1) install, use and maintain [effluent ]
1310	1310	monitoring devices;
1311	1311	(2) sample effluents and receiving waters for
1312	1312	any known or suspected water contaminants in accordance with
1313	1313	methods and at locations and intervals as may be prescribed by
1314	1314	the commission;
1315	1315	(3) establish and maintain records of the
1316	1316	nature and amounts of effluents and the performance of effluent
1317	1317	control devices;
1318	1318	(4) provide [any] other information relating
1319	1319	to the discharge or direct or indirect release of water
1320	1320	contaminants; and
1321	1321	(5) notify a constituent agency of the
1322	1322	introduction of new water contaminants from a new source and of
1323	1323	a substantial change in volume or character of water
1324	1324	contaminants being introduced from sources in existence at the
1325	1325	time of the issuance of the permit.
1326	1326	K. The commission shall provide by [regulation ]
1327	1327	rule a schedule of fees for permits [not exceeding the
1328	1328	estimated cost of investigation and issuance, modification and
1329	1329	renewal of permits] and approvals of general permit coverage
1330	1330	sufficient to pay the cost of developing and implementing the
1331	1331	permitting rules authorized pursuant to Section 74-6-4 NMSA
1332	1332	1978, including the review of applications, issuance and
1333	1333	enforcement of permits and rules, compliance assistance,
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1362	1362	monitoring and inspection of facilities and discharges, data
1363	1363	stewardship, records management and administrative and legal
1364	1364	costs. Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be
1365	1365	deposited in the water quality management fund.
1366	1366	L. The issuance of a permit or approval of a
1367	1367	general permit coverage does not relieve [any ] a person from
1368	1368	the responsibility of complying with the provisions of the
1369	1369	Water Quality Act, any applicable [regulations ] rules or water
1370	1370	quality standards of the commission or any applicable federal
1371	1371	laws, regulations or standards.
1372	1372	M. A permit or general permit coverage may be
1373	1373	terminated or modified by the constituent agency that issued
1374	1374	the permit or approved the general permit coverage prior to its
1375	1375	date of expiration for any of the following causes:
1376	1376	(1) violation of [any ] a condition of the
1377	1377	permit;
1378	1378	(2) obtaining the permit or general permit
1379	1379	coverage by misrepresentation or failure to disclose fully all
1380	1380	relevant facts;
1381	1381	(3) violation of [any ] the provisions of the
1382	1382	Water Quality Act or any applicable [regulations ] rules,
1383	1383	standard of performance or water quality standards;
1384	1384	(4) violation of [any ] applicable state or
1385	1385	federal effluent regulations or limitations; or
1386	1386	(5) change in [any] a condition that requires
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1415	1415	either a temporary or permanent reduction or elimination of the
1416	1416	permitted discharge.
1417	1417	N. If the constituent agency denies, terminates or
1418	1418	modifies a permit or general permit coverage or grants a permit
1419	1419	subject to condition, the constituent agency shall notify the
1420	1420	applicant or permittee by certified mail or other method
1421	1421	acceptable to the applicant or permittee of the action taken
1422	1422	and the reasons. Notice shall also be given by postal or
1423	1423	electronic mail to persons who participated in the permitting
1424	1424	action.
1425	1425	O. A person who participated in a permitting action
1426	1426	before a constituent agency or a person affected by a
1427	1427	certification of a federal permit and who is adversely affected
1428	1428	by [such] the permitting action or certification may file a
1429	1429	petition for review before the commission. Unless a timely
1430	1430	petition for review is made, the decision of the constituent
1431	1431	agency shall be final and not subject to judicial review. The
1432	1432	petition shall:
1433	1433	(1) be made in writing to the commission
1434	1434	within thirty days from the date notice is given of the
1435	1435	constituent agency's action;
1436	1436	(2) include a statement of the issues to be
1437	1437	raised and the relief sought; and
1438	1438	(3) be provided to all other persons
1439	1439	submitting evidence, data, views or arguments in the proceeding
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1468	1468	before the constituent agency.
1469	1469	P. If a timely petition for review is made, the
1470	1470	commission shall consider the petition within ninety days after
1471	1471	receipt of the petition. The commission shall notify the
1472	1472	petitioner and the applicant or permittee, if other than the
1473	1473	petitioner, by certified mail of the date, time and place of
1474	1474	the review. If the petitioner is not the applicant or
1475	1475	permittee, the applicant or permittee shall be a party to the
1476	1476	proceeding. The commission shall ensure that the public
1477	1477	receives notice of the date, time and place of the review.
1478	1478	Q. The commission shall review the record compiled
1479	1479	before the constituent agency, including the transcript of
1480	1480	[any] a public hearing held on the application or draft permit,
1481	1481	and shall allow any party to submit arguments. The commission
1482	1482	may designate a hearing officer to review the record and the
1483	1483	arguments of the parties and recommend a decision to the
1484	1484	commission. The commission shall consider and weigh only the
1485	1485	evidence contained in the record before the constituent agency
1486	1486	and the recommended decision of the hearing officer, if any,
1487	1487	and shall not be bound by the factual findings or legal
1488	1488	conclusions of the constituent agency. Based on the review of
1489	1489	the evidence, the arguments of the parties and recommendations
1490	1490	of the hearing officer, the commission shall sustain, modify or
1491	1491	reverse the action of the constituent agency. The commission
1492	1492	shall enter ultimate findings of fact and conclusions of law
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1521	1521	and keep a record of the review.
1522	1522	R. Prior to the date set for review, if a party
1523	1523	shows to the satisfaction of the commission that there was no
1524	1524	reasonable opportunity to submit comment or evidence on an
1525	1525	issue being challenged, the commission shall order that
1526	1526	additional comment or evidence be taken by the constituent
1527	1527	agency. Based on the additional evidence, the constituent
1528	1528	agency may revise the decision and shall promptly file with the
1529	1529	commission the additional evidence received and action taken.
1530	1530	The commission shall consider the additional evidence within
1531	1531	ninety days after receipt of the additional evidence and shall
1532	1532	notify the petitioner and the applicant or permittee, if other
1533	1533	than the petitioner, of the date, time and place of the review.
1534	1534	S. The commission shall notify the petitioner and
1535	1535	all other participants in the review proceeding of the action
1536	1536	taken by the commission and the reasons for that action.
1537	1537	T. Exemptions for surface water permits shall
1538	1538	include:
1539	1539	(1) normal farming and ranching activities as
1540	1540	determined by the commission or constituent agency;
1541	1541	(2) construction or maintenance of farm or
1542	1542	stock ponds, acequias or irrigation ditches or the maintenance
1543	1543	of drainage ditches; and
1544	1544	(3) construction or maintenance of farm roads
1545	1545	in accordance with best management practices. "
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1574	1574	SECTION 4. Section 74-6-5.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
1575	1575	Chapter 100, Section 4) is amended to read:
1576	1576	"74-6-5.2. WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT FUND CREATED.--There
1577	1577	is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury the
1578	1578	"water quality management fund" to be administered by the
1579	1579	department [of environment ]. Unless otherwise required by law ,
1580	1580	all fees and penalties collected pursuant to [the regulations
1581	1581	adopted by the commission under Subsection H of ] Section 74-6-5
1582	1582	NMSA 1978 and for the operation and maintenance of a permitted
1583	1583	facility pursuant to Subsection H of Section 74-6-5 NMSA 1978
1584	1584	shall be deposited in the fund. Money in the fund is
1585	1585	appropriated to the department [of environment ] for the purpose
1586	1586	of administering the [regulations ] rules adopted by the
1587	1587	commission pursuant to [Section ] Sections 74-6-4 and 74-6-5
1588	1588	NMSA 1978. Disbursements from the fund shall be made upon
1589	1589	warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration
1590	1590	pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of environment."
1591	1591	SECTION 5. Section 74-6-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967,
1592	1592	Chapter 190, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:
1593	1593	"74-6-10. PENALTIES ENFORCEMENT--COMPLIANCE ORDERS--
1594	1594	PENALTIES--ASSURANCE OF DISCONTINUANCE.--
1595	1595	A. Whenever, on the basis of any information, a
1596	1596	constituent agency determines that a person violated or is
1597	1597	violating a requirement, regulation or water quality standard
1598	1598	adopted pursuant to the Water Quality Act or a condition of a
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1627	1627	permit issued pursuant to that act, the constituent agency may:
1628	1628	(1) issue a compliance order requiring
1629	1629	compliance immediately or within a specified time period or
1630	1630	issue a compliance order assessing a civil penalty, or both; or
1631	1631	(2) commence a civil action in district court
1632	1632	for appropriate relief, including injunctive relief.
1633	1633	B. A compliance order issued pursuant to Paragraph
1634	1634	(1) of Subsection A of this section may include a suspension or
1635	1635	termination of the permit allegedly violated.
1636	1636	C. A compliance order shall state with reasonable
1637	1637	specificity the nature of the violation. Any penalty assessed
1638	1638	in the compliance order shall not exceed:
1639	1639	(1) fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per day
1640	1640	of noncompliance with the provisions in Section 74-6-5 NMSA
1641	1641	1978, including a regulation adopted or a permit issued
1642	1642	pursuant to that section; or
1643	1643	(2) ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day for
1644	1644	each violation of a provision of the Water Quality Act other
1645	1645	than the provisions in Section 74-6-5 NMSA 1978 or of a
1646	1646	regulation or water quality standard adopted pursuant to the
1647	1647	Water Quality Act.
1648	1648	D. In assessing a penalty authorized by this
1649	1649	section, the constituent agency shall take into account the
1650	1650	seriousness of the violation, any good faith efforts to comply
1651	1651	with the applicable requirements and other relevant factors.
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1680	1680	E. For purposes of this section, a single
1681	1681	operational event that leads to simultaneous violations of more
1682	1682	than one standard shall be treated as a single violation.
1683	1683	F. If a person fails to take corrective actions
1684	1684	within the time specified in a compliance order, the
1685	1685	constituent agency may:
1686	1686	(1) assess a civil penalty of not more than
1687	1687	twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of
1688	1688	continued noncompliance with the compliance order; and
1689	1689	(2) suspend or terminate the permit violated
1690	1690	by the person.
1691	1691	G. [Any] A compliance order issued by a constituent
1692	1692	agency pursuant to this section shall become final unless, no
1693	1693	later than thirty days after the compliance order is served,
1694	1694	[any] a person named in the compliance order submits a written
1695	1695	request to the commission for a public hearing. The commission
1696	1696	shall conduct a public hearing within ninety days after receipt
1697	1697	of a request.
1698	1698	H. The commission may appoint an independent
1699	1699	hearing officer to preside over [any ] a public hearing held
1700	1700	pursuant to Subsection [F ] G of this section. The hearing
1701	1701	officer shall:
1702	1702	(1) make and preserve a complete record of the
1703	1703	proceedings; and
1704	1704	(2) forward to the commission a report that
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1733	1733	includes recommendations if recommendations are requested by
1734	1734	the commission.
1735	1735	I. The commission shall consider the findings of
1736	1736	the independent hearing officer, and based on the evidence
1737	1737	presented at the hearing, the commission shall make a final
1738	1738	decision regarding the compliance order.
1739	1739	J. In connection with any proceeding [under ]
1740	1740	provided for in this section, the commission may:
1741	1741	(1) adopt rules for discovery procedures; and
1742	1742	(2) issue subpoenas for the attendance and
1743	1743	testimony of witnesses and for relevant papers, books and
1744	1744	documents.
1745	1745	K. Unless otherwise required by law , penalties
1746	1746	collected pursuant to this section for surface waters shall be
1747	1747	deposited in the [general ] water quality management fund.
1748	1748	Unless otherwise required by law, penalties collected pursuant
1749	1749	to this section for ground waters, other than the provisions in
1750	1750	Section 74-6-5 NMSA 1978, shall be deposited in the neglected
1751	1751	and contaminated sites fund.
1752	1752	L. As an additional means of enforcing the Water
1753	1753	Quality Act or any regulation or standard of the commission,
1754	1754	the commission may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any
1755	1755	act or practice deemed in violation of the Water Quality Act,
1756	1756	or any regulation or standard adopted pursuant to that act,
1757	1757	from any person engaging in, or who has engaged in, such act or
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1786	1786	practice, signed and acknowledged by the [chairman ] chair of
1787	1787	the commission and the party affected. Any such assurance
1788	1788	shall specify a time limit during which the discontinuance is
1789	1789	to be accomplished."
1790	1790	SECTION 6. Section 74-6-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967,
1791	1791	Chapter 190, Section 11, as amended) is amended to read:
1792	1792	"74-6-12. LIMITATIONS.--
1793	1793	A. The Water Quality Act does not grant to the
1794	1794	commission or to any other entity the power to take away or
1795	1795	modify the property rights in water, nor is it the intention of
1796	1796	the Water Quality Act to take away or modify such rights.
1797	1797	B. The Water Quality Act does not apply to [any ] an
1798	1798	activity or condition subject to the authority of the
1799	1799	environmental improvement board pursuant to the Hazardous Waste
1800	1800	Act, the Ground Water Protection Act or the Solid Waste Act
1801	1801	except to abate water pollution or to control the disposal or
1802	1802	use of septage and sludge.
1803	1803	C. The Water Quality Act does not authorize the
1804	1804	commission to adopt [any regulation ] a rule with respect to
1805	1805	[any] a condition or quality of water if the water pollution
1806	1806	and its effects are confined entirely within the boundaries of
1807	1807	property within which the water pollution occurs when the water
1808	1808	does not combine with other waters.
1809	1809	D. The Water Quality Act does not grant to the
1810	1810	commission any jurisdiction or authority affecting the relation
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1839	1839	between employers and employees with respect to or arising out
1840	1840	of [any] a condition [of water] or quality of water.
1841	1841	E. The Water Quality Act does not supersede or
1842	1842	limit the applicability of [any ] a law relating to industrial
1843	1843	health, safety or sanitation.
1844	1844	F. Except as required by federal law or for surface
1845	1845	water discharges permitted pursuant to the Water Quality Act ,
1846	1846	in the adoption of [regulations ] rules and water quality
1847	1847	standards and in an action for enforcement of the Water Quality
1848	1848	Act and [regulations] rules adopted pursuant to that act,
1849	1849	reasonable degradation of water quality resulting from
1850	1850	beneficial use shall be allowed. [Such ] The degradation shall
1851	1851	not result in impairment of water quality to the extent that
1852	1852	water quality standards are exceeded.
1853	1853	G. Except for the discharge of a water contaminant
1854	1854	to a surface water, the Water Quality Act does not apply to
1855	1855	[any] an activity or condition subject to the authority of the
1856	1856	oil conservation commission pursuant to provisions of the Oil
1857	1857	and Gas Act [Section 70-2-12 NMSA 1978 ] and other laws
1858	1858	conferring power on the oil conservation commission to prevent
1859	1859	or abate water pollution.
1860	1860	H. When changes in dissolved oxygen, temperature,
1861	1861	dissolved solids, sediment or turbidity in a water of the state
1862	1862	is attributable to natural causes or to the reasonable
1863	1863	operation of irrigation and flood control facilities that are
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1892	1892	not subject to federal or state water pollution control
1893	1893	permitting, numerical standards for temperature, dissolved
1894	1894	solids content, dissolved oxygen, sediment or turbidity adopted
1895	1895	under the Water Quality Act do not apply. "Reasonable
1896	1896	operation", as used in this subsection, shall be defined by
1897	1897	[regulation] rule of the commission."
1898	1898	SECTION 7. A new section of the Water Quality Act is
1899	1899	enacted to read:
1900	1900	"[NEW MATERIAL] NEGLECTED AND CONTAMINATED SITES FUND--
1901	1901	CREATED.--
1902	1902	A. The "neglected and contaminated sites fund" is
1903	1903	created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund
1904	1904	consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and money
1905	1905	received by the department from the federal government or other
1906	1906	state agencies. Unless otherwise required by law, money
1907	1907	received or recovered by the state by or on behalf of the
1908	1908	department arising from claims for enforcement actions,
1909	1909	response actions or response costs relating to the
1910	1910	contamination liability, including any fees, penalties,
1911	1911	settlement funds, recovered litigation costs and any interest
1912	1912	derived therefrom, shall be deposited in the fund.
1913	1913	B. The department shall administer the fund. Money
1914	1914	in the fund is appropriated to the department for state-led
1915	1915	response, investigation and remediation of water pollution and
1916	1916	contamination in soil and soil vapor.
1917	1917	.229483.3SA
1918	1918	- 36 - underscored material = new
1919	1919	[bracketed material] = delete
1920	1920	1
1921	1921	2
1922	1922	3
1923	1923	4
1924	1924	5
1925	1925	6
1926	1926	7
1927	1927	8
1928	1928	9
1929	1929	10
1930	1930	11
1931	1931	12
1932	1932	13
1933	1933	14
1934	1934	15
1935	1935	16
1936	1936	17
1937	1937	18
1938	1938	19
1939	1939	20
1940	1940	21
1941	1941	22
1942	1942	23
1943	1943	24
1944	1944	25
1945	1945	C. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants
1946	1946	signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant
1947	1947	to vouchers signed by the secretary of environment or the
1948	1948	secretary's designee."
1949	1949	SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION.--Fifty million dollars
1950	1950	($50,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
1951	1951	neglected and contaminated sites fund for expenditure in fiscal
1952	1952	year 2026 and subsequent fiscal years for the purposes of the
1953	1953	fund, for contracted expenditures and to provide full-time-
1954	1954	equivalent employees and supplies for the state ground water
1955	1955	quality bureau of the department of environment to implement a
1956	1956	state-led response, investigation and remediation of water
1957	1957	pollution and contamination in soil and soil vapor at neglected
1958	1958	and contaminated sites. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance
1959	1959	remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the
1960	1960	general fund.
1961	1961	SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY.--If any part or application of
1962	1962	this 2025 act is held invalid, the remainder or its application
1963	1963	to other situations or persons shall not be affected.
1964	1964	SECTION 10. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public
1965	1965	peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
1966	1966	- 37 -
1967	1967	.229483.3SA