Bill > HB114

This bill establishes new penalties for making false statements to the New Mexico Environment Department, which is the state agency responsible for environmental protection. Specifically, it prohibits individuals or entities regulated by the department from making false written statements or representations about important facts relevant to compliance with environmental laws or rules, submitting false information in applications or reports, tampering with monitoring devices or records, concealing material facts, or using documents known to contain false statements. Violators can face compliance orders and civil penalties of up to $10,000, along with requirements to remediate any resulting environmental damage, although penalties may be waived if the violation is self-reported and promptly corrected. The bill also mandates that department forms include a clear warning about potential civil penalties for false statements, and forms lacking this warning cannot be used as evidence in legal proceedings. "Person regulated by the department" is defined to include those involved with liquid waste permits and public water systems, as well as their agents.