Section 62-8-9 - Disposition of funds; interest and penalty on late payments.

62-8-9. Disposition of funds; interest and penalty on late payments.

A.     All fees and money collected under the provisions of the Public Utility Act [62-13-1 NMSA 1978], including fees provided for in Section 62-13-2 NMSA 1978 and including fees and charges for inspection and supervision, for stenographic services and for transcripts of evidence, shall be remitted by the commission to the state treasurer not later than the day following receipt.  Payments provided for in the Public Utility Act shall be obligatory upon all utilities subject to the Public Utility Act.   

B.     When a fee is not paid on the date it is due, interest shall be paid to the state on the amount due.  The interest on the amount due shall start to accrue on the day following the due date and will continue to accrue until the total amount due is paid. The rate of interest on a late fee payment shall be fifteen percent per year, computed at the rate of one and one-fourth percent per month.   

C.     In addition to any interest due on a late fee payment, a penalty shall be paid to the state for failure to pay the fee when it was due.  The penalty imposed shall be two percent of the amount of the fee due.   

D.     The attorney general, in the name of the state, shall bring suit to collect fees, interest and penalties that remain unpaid.