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Committee backs bill to create Technology & Innovation Division, research‑match fund
Summary
House Bill 20 would create a Technology and Innovation Division, an R&D matching fund and a technology prize program to help New Mexico attract and scale AI, aerospace and clean‑tech investments; the committee adopted an amendment removing immediate appropriations and recommended the bill do pass as amended.
House Appropriations and Finance committee members heard from sponsors and state officials on House Bill 20, a proposal to build a coordinated technology and innovation framework in New Mexico that would create an in‑state Technology and Innovation Division and Network Advisory Board, a Research, Development and Deployment Fund, and a Technology Innovation Prize program.
Nut graf: Supporters said the bill is designed to position New Mexico to win federal and private investment in fast‑growing sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and clean energy. The committee adopted an amendment that removes appropriations from the bill and deferred funding details to the budget process; the committee recommended the bill do pass as amended.
Details and testimony: Rob Black, the economic development secretary designee, framed the bill as a targeted intervention to capture federal opportunities and to build sector councils, entrepreneur supports, and matching funds. "These elements create the coordinated strategic framework we need to seize this moment of opportunity," he told the committee. Nathan Bush of the University of New Mexico said the state needs matching resources to be competitive on large federal opportunities and listed examples of near‑term solicitations that would benefit from co‑funding.
Committee action: The committee adopted the HAFC amendment (231401.1) that removed appropriations from the statute and noted relevant funding would be handled in HB2. Ranking member Chatfield moved a do‑pass as amended; the motion carried without recorded opposition.
Ending: Members asked about staffing timelines, workforce development links to higher education and community colleges, and safeguards to prevent unnecessary expansion of government. Officials said planning has started and emphasized partnerships with UNM, CNM and workforce agencies to build pipelines into targeted sectors.
