Committee tables $3 million proposal to fund tribal and county health councils after broad testimony

House Bill 75, a bid to provide $3 million for tribal and county health councils statewide, drew extensive testimony from council representatives, public-health advocates and county officials before the House Appropriations & Finance Committee voted to table the measure for further work.

Representatives Joseph Hernandez and Tara Luhan presented the bill, saying it would support locally run health councils that conduct assessments, convene partners and coordinate prevention and access efforts. Valeria Larkon, executive director of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils, told the committee she represents "all 33 counties and currently 10 tribal health councils" and described the councils as a backbone of community-level public health.

Why it matters: Witnesses described health councils as local conveners that connect state and tribal systems to residents and deliver prevention, behavioral-health outreach and access services in rural areas that otherwise lack infrastructure. Several public commenters — including a substance-use researcher and representatives of statewide health organizations — urged support and called the funding level insufficient for full statewide scale-up.

Details and concerns: Sponsors said the original request sought $43 million; after negotiations the budget included $3 million for the councils this cycle. Committee members asked how the Department of Health would distribute funds and ensure all counties and tribal councils receive support. Witnesses explained that the Department of Health would contract with local councils and that deliverables are coordinated through DOH health promotion and public health offices. Questions also focused on differences among councils: some serve very small populations across large distances; others operate inside urban areas with many existing providers. Committee members and presenters said a deeper interim review of service models and capacity would be useful before scaling funding.

Public comment: Dozens of callers and online witnesses supported the bill. Marlene Lira, a substance-use researcher, said the councils help address addiction and provide culturally appropriate local services, calling the councils part of the community connection needed to tackle substance misuse.

Committee action: Vice Chair Dixon moved to table HB75; Ranking Member Chatfield seconded. The committee approved the tabling motion without recorded opposition. Sponsors and advocates said they expect further committee work to refine distribution methods and possible differentiated funding levels based on county need.

Next steps: The bill was tabled for further study and potential redesign; sponsors and DOH officials signaled willingness to produce more detailed distribution criteria and outcomes reporting for future consideration.