us-nm/stat
NMSA 1978, § 7-24A-3 — Use of proceeds
A.
The proceeds of a county or municipal gasoline tax shall be used for bridge and
road projects or public transportation related trails and for expenses of purchasing,
maintaining and operating transit operations and facilities, for the operation of a transit
authority established by the Municipal Transit Law [3-52-1 to 3-52-13 NMSA 1978] or as
provided in the County and Municipal Gasoline Tax Act, for operation of a vehicle
emission inspection program or for road, street or highway construction, repair or
maintenance in the county or municipality. The proceeds of a county or municipal
gasoline tax may be pledged for the payment of bonds issued pursuant to the County
and Municipal Gasoline Tax Act. A county or municipality may engage in the business
of transportation of passengers and property within the political subdivision by whatever
means it may decide and may acquire cars, motor buses and other equipment
necessary for carrying on the business. It may acquire land and erect buildings and
equip them with all necessary machinery and facilities for operation, maintenance,
modification, repair and storage of any buses, cars, trucks or other equipment needed.
It may do all things necessary for the acquisition and conduct of the business of public
transportation.
B.
A governing body may enact ordinances and resolutions and promulgate rules as
it may deem necessary and proper for the conduct of the business of transportation and
for fixing and collecting all fares, rates and charges for services rendered.
C.
Any county or municipality engaging in the business of transportation may extend
any system of transportation to points outside its boundaries where necessary and
incidental to furnishing efficient transportation to points within the county or municipality.
D.
A governing body may lease any system of transportation in whole or in part to
any person who will contract to operate it according to the rules, time tables and other
requirements established by the governing body.
E.
Any county or municipality may furnish transportation service to areas located
outside its boundaries, provided that prior contracts have been entered into with the
county or municipality in which the areas are located covering the schedules, rates,
service and other pertinent matters before initiation of such service.
F.
The power of eminent domain is granted to a participating county or municipality
for the purpose of acquiring lands and buildings necessary to provide efficient public
transit or a vehicle emission inspection program to be exercised in the manner provided
by law.
G.
A county or municipality, as an operating entity, may enter into contracts for
special transportation service, charter buses, advertising and any other function that a
private enterprise operating a public transit facility could do or perform for revenue.
H.
A governing body may spend any public funds to pay the costs of operation of
public transit or a vehicle emission inspection program if revenues of the system prove
to be insufficient.
I.
A county or municipality is authorized to enter into binding agreements with the
United States or any of its officers or agencies or the state or any of its officers or
agencies or any combination of agencies, departments or officers of both the United
States and the state for planning, developing, modernizing, studying, improving,
financing, operating or otherwise affecting public transit; to accept any loans, grants or
payments from any of these agencies; and to make any commitments or assume any
obligations required by any of these agencies as a condition of receiving the benefits
thereof.
Source: official text