20-1-8.1: Military deployment; municipal or county 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 or county services, public utilities or telecommunications services provided by persons whose rates are regulated by the municipality, the county or the public regulation commission for the home of the resident without a penalty. The resident shall certify to the municipality, county 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 or county 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, the resident shall be allowed to reconnect the suspended municipal or county 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.