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Panel advances $10 million proposal to stabilize community‑based domestic violence programs
Summary
House Bill 216 would appropriate $10 million from the Crime Victims Reparation Fund to community‑based domestic violence programs statewide; the Judiciary Committee gave the bill a do‑pass recommendation after testimony on federal funding declines and rising shelter demand.
Representatives Pamela Herndon and Joanne Ferrari presented House Bill 216, requesting a $10 million appropriation from the Crime Victims Reparation Fund to distribute to the state's community‑based domestic violence programs.
Frank Zubia, director of the Crime Victims Reparation Commission, described two agency missions: victim compensation and grants administration, and said federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding has declined sharply. "Historically, our state was dependent on federal funding... In 2018 we received about $21,000,000 from the federal government. Currently, in fiscal year 2024, we're down to $5,000,000," Zubia testified.
Representatives of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and shelter operators said demand and costs have grown while funding has not. Coalition testimony cited a roughly 44.7% increase in shelter nights, a 52.6% increase in alternative shelter nights, and a 53% increase in crisis calls. The coalition also said the state has 32 domestic violence programs serving 686 shelter beds statewide and only two indigenous shelters serving 23 tribes, pueblos and nations.
Shelter directors and coalitions urged action to preserve services, increase staff pay and stabilize programs. Jan McCray, CEO of Esperanza Shelter in Santa Fe, testified: "This funding is critical. Without this funding in our state, New Mexicans and their children will die or will be impacted." Supporters framed the appropriation as a one‑time infusion intended to stabilize programs and to press for recurring funding in the budget process.
Committee members raised standard budget questions about whether providers can spend $10 million in a single year and whether one‑time funding would create sustainability problems the next year. Witnesses responded that the Crime Victims Reparation Commission has grant administration capacity and that the funds would be distributed to the existing 32 domestic violence programs to cover staffing, shelter capacity and program stabilization; advocates said the appropriation is intended to be a vehicle to seek recurring funding in the future.
The committee voted to report HB216 with a do‑pass recommendation (motion by Representative Reed; second by Representative Martinez). Sponsors and witnesses said the appropriation aims to shore up programs after federal cuts and to invest in prevention, services for survivors and child safety.
Votes at a glance: HB216 (community‑based domestic violence programs) — motion: do pass; mover: Representative Reed; second: Representative Martinez; outcome: do pass (recorded as majority among members present).
