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Committee narrows membership, adopts wording change and advances State Energy Advisory Board bill
Summary
The House Appropriations & Finance Committee adopted HAFC changes to the House Energy substitute creating a State Energy Advisory Board, removed its appropriation, narrowed membership, and advanced the measure after public comment and extensive member questions.
Committee members considered the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee substitute for House Bill 394 (referred to in the hearing as HB3 94), which establishes a State Energy Advisory Board to advise the Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. Representative Murphy and other sponsors described the board as a high-level advisory body intended to provide expert, multidisciplinary input as the state navigates energy transition matters.
The committee adopted an HAFC amendment (No. 231871.1) that struck the appropriation and changed a term on page 2 from "energy infrastructure sector" to "electric utility and industry." Representatives discussed board size, membership and scope; the committee substitute reduced proposed membership from 19 to 11 to balance representation with manageability. Public testimony included Scott Lopez of Vida Mejor Capital, who said the bill would provide useful data and a forum for tribal, rural and urban stakeholders, and a brief statement from PNM supporting the conversation on energy transition.
Members pressed sponsors on coordination with the Public Regulation Commission, the mechanics of annual reporting and whether the board's role would overlap existing advisory groups. Representative Brown proposed a friendly amendment to change placement of a phrase so the bill more clearly states that the board should "provide expert input and specific advice to the Secretary of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources, addressing energy and natural resources for implementing and maintaining clean energy in the state." Staff confirmed the motion and the committee adopted House Appropriations & Finance Committee Amendment No. 2 on the floor.
Representative Herrera moved a do-pass recommendation for the committee substitute as twice amended; Representative Sanchez seconded. The committee advanced the bill with no opposition recorded during the do-pass motion. Sponsors and supporters said they expect the advisory board to consolidate overlapping energy-related boards, provide high-level technical input, and help prioritize grant and grid-upgrade efforts in rural areas.
The substitute removes direct funding and narrows membership and scope; it requires the board to issue an annual report to the secretary and to the Legislative Finance Committee. Committee members asked staff to correct syntax in the draft and confirmed meeting frequency (at least twice per year) and reporting obligations. The bill now moves to the next stage in the legislative process for further consideration and floor votes.
