House Democrats Deliver on Stimulus Funds and Fair Redistricting in Special Session
Legislation passed ensures fair and equal representation, appropriates nearly half a billion in federal funds to support NM families, & ensures that medical clinics can keep their doors open
Santa Fe, N.M. – The House of Representatives closed the Second Special Session of New Mexico’s 55th Legislature today at 2:17 PM marking the end of a once-a-decade redistricting process for New Mexico’s Congressional, State House, State Senate, and Public Education Commission districts. This special session also included vital adjustments to health legislation to ensure that medical professionals can continue serving their communities, and the appropriation of millions of dollars to assist New Mexicans reeling from the economic consequences of COVID-19.
“What the House accomplished in short order this special session is truly reflective of the hard work our members put in year round in meeting with constituents, communities, and voters,” said Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe). “I could not be more proud of this chamber as we delivered hundreds of millions in pandemic relief for our frontline healthcare workers, education, clean water and infrastructure, and high-speed broadband to uplift and support communities and their future.”
“A core tenet of our democracy is the fair representation of the people it serves. Every ten years we come together to ensure the people’s voices are equally heard and this House did not waver in that duty,” said Majority Leader Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), and Majority Whip Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces). “We are grateful to our colleagues in this House and especially the staff for their diligent work to efficiently deliver results for the people of New Mexico.”
"We passed new maps that represent the fair and transparent redistricting process and which include our historic tribal consensus," said Representative D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock). "The values of our state are reflected in these maps to ensure all of our diverse voices and communities have an equal seat at the table. It is an outcome we can all be proud of."
“What we accomplished in this special session is historic,” said Representative Daymon Ely (D-Corrales). “Thanks to the hard work of the Citizen Redistricting Council and hundreds more who offered public comment, our communities will receive fair representation in the State House of Representatives for the coming decade. The People’s House Map achieves fairness at a historic level, and along with the Native American consensus — the first ever in our state — what we have achieved should be celebrated.”
The House also passed historic legislation that will get federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars working for New Mexicans right away on one-time, shovel-ready projects. “The appropriations in House Bill 2 will get these federal dollars working for New Mexicans right away and will aid in our recovery from this ongoing pandemic. What’s been achieved are responsible investments in the people of New Mexico addressing everything from infrastructure to conservation to education.” said House Appropriations & Finance Chair Rep. Lundstrom (D-Gallup).
Another key piece of legislation, HB 11, makes vital changes to an existing health care bill to ensure that medical providers across New Mexico can keep their doors open. Representative Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), the bill’s sponsor said, “House Bill 11 continues the historic agreement that patients, doctors, hospitals, and providers reached together to protect patients from harm, while also allowing doctors to practice medicine in a sustainable business environment. These agreed-upon changes give providers what they need to maintain their insurance and to continue serving our communities.”
KEY LEGISLATION PASSED BY HOUSE
HB 2: American Rescue Plan Act Appropriations
Sponsored by Reps. Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup), Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), Candie Sweetser (D-Deming), Harry Garcia (D-Grants), and Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque).
New Mexico’s hardworking families need to know that their state government has their back. House Bill 2 responsibly delivers hundreds of millions of dollars to support and uplift our communities by investing in infrastructure, education, conservation, while building opportunities for them to get ahead.
The bill appropriates a total of $504 million in ARPA state relief funds and capital projects funds, and transfers the remainder of the $1.069 billion in ARPA funds to the appropriation contingency fund (ACF). Under the bill, these critical federal stimulus dollars will begin working for the people of New Mexico.
$172.5 million to the Dept. of Transportation for major statewide road projects, clean up New Mexico roadway beautification program, planning and upgrades to airports statewide, and electric vehicle charging stations statewide
$75.9 million to the Dept. of Finance & Admin to construct and equip an acute care hospital in a county with less than 100,000 residents, to provide housing assistance for homeless persons and affordable housing contingent on 100 percent local match, for energy-efficient affordable housing through the housing trust fund, for temporary assistance to local governments in advancing capital outlay and projects funded through ARPA, and for grants administration
$123 million to the Dept. of Information Technology for broadband infrastructure statewide
$23.5 million to the Dept. of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources for upgrades at state parks statewide and orphan well planning and implementation
$17 million to the Higher Education Dept. for higher education program development
enhancement fund to expand nursing programs and to the Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship Fund in response to the teacher shortage
$15 million to the General Services Dept. for COVID-related costs for the group health benefits program
$15 million to the Tourism Dept. for tourism marketing advertising
$10 million to the Economic Development Dept. for the outdoor equity grant program fund and for outdoor recreation grants
$10 million to the Environment Dept. for surface water quality and river habitats statewide
$5 million to the Human Services Dept. for assistance for food banks
$1 million to Legislative Council Services for a legislative processing system
$500,000 to the Admin Office of the Courts for pretrial services monitoring
HB 8: The People’s House Map
Sponsored by Rep. Daymon Ely (D-Corrales)
New Mexicans deserve fair and equal representation in their state House. House Bill 8 reflects the geographic and cultural diversity of our state and includes the historic tribal consensus.
House Bill 8 (The People’s House Map) is based on the Citizen Redistricting Committee’s (CRC) original maps, which all received “A” grades from independent experts. This map also incorporates a historic tribal consensus between New Mexico’s tribes, nations, and pueblos, reached after the CRC completed its work, and has been endorsed by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), the Navajo Nation and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
HB 9: Navajo Nation Public Education Commission Map
Sponsored by Rep D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock) & Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque)
New Mexico’s students deserve fair and equal representation on our state’s Public Education Commission (PEC), House Bill 9 achieves this goal by recognizing the cultural and geographic diversity of our state -- especially our Native voices.
House Bill 9, based on Concept Map E, as proposed by the Citizens Redistricting Committee (CRC), received unanimous support from CRC members and was drawn for the purpose of creating fair Public Education Commission districts, taking into consideration Native American voices and their principle of self-determination.
HB 11: Medical Malpractice Changes
Sponsored by Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque) & Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces)
House Bill 11 continues the historic agreement that patients, doctors, hospitals, and providers reached together to protect patients from harm, while also allowing doctors to practice medicine in a sustainable business environment.
House Bill 11 modifies the Medical Malpractice Act passed in the last legislative session. Reflecting an agreement between doctors, patients, insurance companies, and hospitals, House Bill 11 clarifies the original agreement’s language so that independent providers can continue providing the care New Mexicans deserve. Under HB 11’s modifications, the definition of an independent health care provider is clarified, so they’re not considered an agent of a hospital.
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