[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6118522,"mediaKeyId","2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e","parentId",2723540,"title","House committee advances bill to create State Fairgrounds redevelopment district in Albuquerque","audioSeconds",1979,"startMs",131000,"endMs",2110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e&start=131&end=2110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e/thumbnail_131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118522/New-Mexico/House-committee-advances-bill-to-create-State-Fairgrounds-redevelopment-district-in-Albuquerque","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118522-a8ed792d90014799999ca98e352e1068/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580449&Signature=eIgMjyu6Fu7Yc6bkDVQ~FMkZQYVeO0sem52E71snRBANZG6co8QOCM7PKjvmSA-ikLJh9Huv3wEC-oaxk0I12aGroDNGBlEcZTyakywXGeIRy-PFnYUewfTjXyDaZmfnbepqpCK-0LiUzlusuHrEWh1~1kwcNTw4NZWWXGSyektVtdlSF5xGpjmtGJDCxnmoAfp8K9woVE-YWxYZkzu8F8Gm3ajHAGGpmK3M~q8THEl~RAXXYTKmTlYJGsPZ2g76gMLEGyGsuFrFBTCuau50uzkGVQHJNp8p7nw8Eh00reLVDi~lwVQ5c2xnHnBWKsDOXQE1L2T8ZjwXD6YLsFFRIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee on a 10‑6 vote recommended passage of Senate Bill 481, a measure to create a State Fairgrounds District intended to guide redevelopment of the State Fairgrounds and surrounding International District in Albuquerque.

Supporters told the committee the proposal would capture gross‑receipts tax and gaming tax revenue from the fairgrounds area to fund infrastructure, affordable housing and other redevelopment. “This will generate opportunities to enhance public school facilities, enrich our educational programs, and create a more vibrant learning environment,” Jessica Martinez of Albuquerque Public Schools said in support.

The bill would create a state‑level, tax‑increment‑type district on state‑owned property governed by an elected board that includes the governor, the mayor, a city councilor, a county commissioner, a state representative and state senator, and one community member. Sponsors said the bill aims to retain about $12 million a year in gaming and gross‑receipts tax (GRT) revenue now flowing from the site for local reinvestment. The measure would give the district bonding authority up to $500 million and includes a 4‑year milestone requiring progress or a wind‑down and return of funds, sponsors said.

Public comment was mixed. Supporters included Roger Valdez of the Center for Housing Economics and Marcos Gonzalez of Bernalillo County, who said the revenue and a master plan would help bring housing, retail and jobs back to the area. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Terry Cole said the bill contains conflict‑of‑interest safeguards and open‑meeting requirements for the new board. Opponents included Carla Sonntag of the New Mexico Business Coalition, who said there has not been adequate public input and that one public member on the board is insufficient representation.

Committee members pressed sponsors on several specifics. Representative Vincent asked whether existing fair uses — including the rodeo arena and Tingley Coliseum — would be preserved; sponsors said no final decision has been made and that the master plan (the RFP for which has already been issued) will present options including renovating the current site or relocating some uses. Representative Duncan raised questions about how property taxes or other levies would be imposed; Justin Horowitz, a law firm attorney appearing for the General Services Department, said the act lays out a process for the district to call an election among residents if and when there are residents in the district, and that a local property tax would not be an immediate financing tool because “no one lives there now.”

Representative Luhan and others asked about board continuity and how the master‑plan vendor would be selected; sponsors said the RFP for the master plan will be selected by the existing State Fair Commission and the elected district board will have authority over later development decisions, subject to statutory guardrails and legislative or Board of Finance approval where required.

The committee motion to give SB 481 a due‑pass recommendation to the full House was moved by Vice Chair Dixon and seconded by Representative Herndon. The roll call included 10 “yes” votes and 6 “no” votes. The committee record shows: Baca (No), Brown (No), Chatfield (No), Dow (No), Duncan (No), Garrett (Yes), Hernandez (Yes), Herndon (Yes), Herrera (Yes), Little (Yes), Luhan (Yes), Sanchez (Yes), Silva (Yes), Vincent (No), Dixon (Yes), Small/Chair (Yes). The committee clerk recorded the action as a due pass to the floor.

What’s next: With the committee recommendation the bill advances to the House floor. Committee and public testimony indicates the master plan and related RFP will be pivotal to how the district is ultimately configured and which fairground uses remain on site or are relocated.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Appropriations Committee on a 10‑6 vote recommended passage of Senate Bill 481, a measure to create a State Fairgrounds District intended to guide redevelopment of the State Fairgrounds and surrounding International District in Albuquerque.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",29060,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6118515,"Votes at a glance: Appropriations committee actions on multiple bills",5444,0,5444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e&start=0&end=5444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6118515/New-Mexico/Votes-at-a-glance-Appropriations-committee-actions-on-multiple-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118515-4bd7fceebce2b512816870190a1eca27/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580449&Signature=m-r~31nzZmkctY1ottskvAN34zEWrZ4O3XTLeYszekQIaaCqR-XJQ~M0fGgrHea9XaU7RNBCJFyhNaCKtsEXoIwQ1rhjAzw1kfCmkN3PNBWnhU-79QInULAu8cmpXy1AgdWFT8AM6atbFnYW6SQTu03ZMgpGq2ixEZRfVnqm-WNeh6w0SKL6OzciaKa5Pg3JSO6XfhVdj5qer3pbXqWQDapytR-uwFDnbA~M7coiAfruyrMX1nv67Sb3l6Lm4VSca3cqA-dRZzf7G5OGf0BKPwFMHFgJqO8H6fXg-Gfo0RjZR~tlwAddBNh53KX3xChXsSM-zDPWxPmXbu6p6lUgkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee advanced multiple Senate bills to the House floor with due‑pass recommendations. Several items were acted on with minimal debate and no roll‑call recorded in the transcript; the entries below summarize action, public comment and any committee notes captured during the hearing.

- Senate Bill 220 (risk management/legal settlement publication): Committee recorded a due pass; no public roll call recorded in transcript. Outcome: due pass to floor.

- Senate Bill 401 (broadband and educational technology; transfers functions to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion; creates educational technology infrastructure fund): Committee recorded a due pass after presenters described transfer of PSFA/PSCOC technical functions into the Office of Broadband. Outcome: due pass to floor.

- Senate Bill 387 (community schools): Committee approved an amendment to change the per‑school community schools allocation cap (from a flat $150,000 previously to awards up to $50,000 to spread funding further) and renamed the fund in honor of Dr. Jeanne Oakes; committee recorded a due pass. Outcome: due pass to floor.

- Senate Bill 290 (county fee allocations including county clerks and Children’s Trust Fund additions): Committee recorded a due pass; committee testimony noted coordination with CYFD and aging/long‑term services for pilot programs.

- Senate Bill 142 (grid modernization roadmap): Committee discussion added coordination language for MNRD and PRC and added schools as eligible locations for grid modernization grants; committee moved a motion (a “do not pass” motion was offered by the ranking member but the committee record in the transcript shows the item advanced). Outcome: committee action recorded; due pass status in transcript.

- Senate Bill 126 (increases State Rural Universal Service Fund cap from $30M to $40M to support PRC broadband grants): Committee recorded a due pass; industry witnesses from rural providers spoke in support and a wireless trade association noted potential surcharge impacts on consumers.

- Senate Bill 236 (motorcycle license plate size): Simple technical license‑plate bill to allow a motorcycle‑sized plate for the “Look Twice” motorcycle safety plate; committee recorded a due pass.

For all bills above the committee directed them to the House floor with the committee amendments described in testimony. Where detailed roll calls were recorded (for example SB 481 and SB 535), those vote records are captured in the individual bill articles.","The House Appropriations Committee moved several bills to the floor with due‑pass recommendations during the session. This roundup lists bills advanced without extended debate and notes recorded votes or public comment where applicable.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6118519,"Appropriations committee recommends passage of bill raising 9‑1‑1 and 988 funding while drawing opposition over workers’ compensation fee increases",427,2843000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e&start=2843&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","/articles/6118519/New-Mexico/Appropriations-committee-recommends-passage-of-bill-raising-911-and-988-funding-while-drawing-opposition-over-workers-compensation-fee-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118519-547134bab73f41855c23e3d1f067d549/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580449&Signature=Hk8fNrCnMtbLKbPUPiGRjOQhIuaA1Gndcfe1hOwwCPlS2YocyFhPbeeBzo8jIUMx5sYrcE71YUGqxVby-mVCOjlzZyI8ASkNkGrc0uozeEikTdbIDjWqZGbmRcb78jZG1oMBBh8oWyGj7H~uAURMXjENZzdPVrBIRtf-WIGE~AUqi9Nm~lTFT5koju-OxZxjv-fDNY5sTGuJD0hhETP6dwzL7SjbqsdA0EczcLHAGzbLKwCQMbw7ymRE9xcH6AQ-FWgZ4QtlKFAf3A5GgGshU6mZTnrg58KSBk4TFDgVlmb0-eBZSxjBUSCR~pst0MbcVTU98ZjoDXcUSHk74Cwbtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee recommended passage of Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 535, a multi‑topic financing bill that increases the 9‑1‑1 surcharge, creates a dedicated non‑reverting fund to support the 988 crisis intervention hotline, adjusts several Public Regulation Commission fees and raises the assessment rate used to support the workers’ compensation system.

Supporters told the committee the 9‑1‑1 surcharge has not been raised in decades and local public‑safety and 9‑1‑1 professionals urged a surcharge increase to sustain and modernize dispatch and call‑handling systems statewide. “The surcharge increase for 9‑1‑1 is long overdue,” Nicole Brown of the San Juan County 9‑1‑1 center said. Fire chiefs and county officials also testified in favor.

The bill as amended directs increased telecommunications relay or 988‑related surcharges to a new recurring fund to pay for ongoing 988 services and to stabilize funding for the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s programs, supporters said. The amendment also added limits tying some annual fee adjustments to a public‑employee cost index and moved several collection dates from April to July.

The bill includes a multi‑year schedule of increases to the workers’ compensation assessment that supports the state’s workers’ comp fund; committee testimony said the assessment had not been raised for 35 years and the agency is running an operating shortfall. A committee witness summarized the current assessment and proposed increases: the current assessment is $2.00 per employee and $2.30 employer contribution; the proposal phases increases over several years beginning with an initial increase to roughly $2.25 (employee) and $2.55 (employer) in the first year, with further phased increases in later years, per the agency’s testimony.

That workers’ compensation component provoked opposition from several committee members. Representative Brown said she supported the 9‑1‑1 and 988 pieces but would oppose the bill because of fee increases on small businesses. During final proceedings the motion to give the bill a due pass passed but the clerk recorded several members in opposition: Representatives Baca, Duncan, Brown and Chatfield were shown in opposition on the final tally.

The committee also adopted an amendment to update PRC inspection and supervision fee language, raise certain utility inspection fees and adjust the timing of collections. The amendment sets the 9‑1‑1 monthly surcharge increase (a witness characterized the change as moving the monthly 9‑1‑1 surcharge from $0.51 to $1.00) and creates the dedicated fund for 988. Supporters said the change will provide predictable, recurring revenue for crisis services and 9‑1‑1 modernization; opponents urged separating emergency‑telecom funding from fee increases on employers.

The bill was moved by Vice Chair Dixon and seconded by Representative Hernandez. The motion carried with recorded opposition from Baca, Duncan, Brown and Chatfield. The committee directed the bill forward to the House floor with the amendment in place.

What’s next: The bill proceeds to the House floor under the committee’s due‑pass recommendation. Committee testimony shows broad support for upgrades to 9‑1‑1 and a new funding stream for 988; the workers’ compensation fee schedule generated dissent and may draw floor‑level debate.","The committee recommended a due pass for Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 535 as amended, which raises the 9‑1‑1 surcharge and creates a recurring fund for the 988 crisis hotline while also increasing long‑unchanged workers’ compensation assessment fees; several members opposed the workers’ compensation increases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6118520,"Committee backs bill to allow tribal language‑immersion compact schools; pilot, reporting and prioritized language groups included",1267,2601000,3868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e&start=2601&end=3868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723540-0e0e630592be5bdcf1576e95aa9d702e/thumbnail_2601000.jpg","/articles/6118520/New-Mexico/Committee-backs-bill-to-allow-tribal-languageimmersion-compact-schools-pilot-reporting-and-prioritized-language-groups-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118520-bad50bbfdd8954f514eafd30179bc0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580449&Signature=jSGBAT~~6~a6ZO21W0KM9S5f1WhksQBit2InrGbbVsoBYXn-K8vtV73UU95x9B7QkYI999ECzh6USab0B8jsbvuKk4MgtNwnjEci6WXUkt6GDst~cw0lY0rDhaXx1Ca3OSvJKz9SjvA7R~DZbbrHCK9aJyk8fMa3r28QD30FcOn0gGquyHoBjeFpVhBoHCrh3ULBkTNaJvYlDI~Dq9eMznAGadR-SHHsUHE8Gd9FSX~lqIiC0XWq6eGBudxBpLxYCEtGMLvAdUDZnQKd3QJDfF-Orvo3Nd67VmfJoqEvO4oqkWcTG-lUz8ityXe-mFTr7VefyaNDNXylgXWHkysQ4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee recommended passage of Senate Bill 13, which would authorize a Tribal Compact Schools Act to enable tribes to establish language‑immersion and culturally based public schools under negotiated compacts with the state. The committee also adopted a House amendment that limits an initial pilot to five compact schools and requires annual reporting on progress.

Supporters — including tribal education leaders and attorneys — said the bill is about preserving language, culture and improving educational outcomes for Native students. “Our worldview is linked to our language in place,” Ata Chavis said during public comment. Alicia Carisse, a member of Santo Domingo Pueblo, said immersion programs have produced strong graduation and college‑going results in other jurisdictions and urged support.

The amendment adopted by the committee adds a pilot of up to five compact schools, prioritizes certain language families (Tiwa, Tewa, Towa, Keres, Apache, Zuni and Dene) for the initial effort, and requires the state tribal education entity to report status and progress to the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Legislative Finance Committee by each November. Committee members noted this was the product of extended negotiations in the House Education Committee and described the amendment as a compromise to advance a measured pilot.

Committee members asked about funding and facilities. Representative Silva asked whether capital outlay and local‑share obligations would apply; technical staff said existing public school capital outlay and other funding sources would remain available but funding timing and local matches will depend on each school’s circumstances and whether facilities already exist. A technical expert told the committee the compacting process requires planning and is not expected to have immediate fiscal impact because implementation is estimated to begin in fiscal year 2027; student counts and other metrics will be reported during the planning window.

Public witnesses included tribal education leaders and representatives of advocacy organizations. Conroy Chino of the Pueblos of Acoma and Taos and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty said compacts allow tribes greater control over education and language preservation. The ACLU of New Mexico and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty testified in support as well. Several Pueblo education directors described existing immersion work and urged a structured, supported pathway for expansion.

The committee adopted the House amendments and recorded a due‑pass recommendation; Representative Little moved the motion and Representative Hernandez seconded it. The committee did not record a roll call with names in the transcript for this vote; clerks recorded the outcome as a due pass to the floor.

What’s next: With committee approval the measure moves to the House floor. Implementation details — particularly facility funding and local share requirements — will be developed during the compacting and planning process and through the reporting requirements added by the committee amendment.","House Appropriations recommended a due pass for Senate Bill 13 with an amendment to pilot up to five tribal compact schools that prioritize indigenous language groups and to require annual status reporting to legislative study committees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee advances bill to create State Fairgrounds redevelopment district in Albuquerque

Votes at a glance: Appropriations committee actions on multiple bills

Appropriations committee recommends passage of bill raising 9‑1‑1 and 988 funding while drawing opposition over workers’ compensation fee increases

Committee backs bill to allow tribal language‑immersion compact schools; pilot, reporting and prioritized language groups included