Appropriations committee advances House Bill 1 to shore up health, food and public-broadcasting funding

The House Appropriations & Finance Committee voted 11–7 to pass House Bill 1, a special-session appropriations package designed to replace federal funding and stabilize services across health care, food assistance and public broadcasting.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the package focuses on health care, food and short-term session expenses and includes the single largest appropriation for the state Rural Health Care Delivery Fund. As the sponsor described it, the rural fund change is intended to provide “perhaps the most important tool to make sure rural hospitals, clinics, and others don't close.” The measure also directs $8 million to regional food banks, transfers $30 million to the Appropriation Contingency Fund for disasters and includes technology and staffing dollars for the Health Care Authority to implement new federal requirements.

Public commenters and agency leaders urged approval. JD Billington of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce told the panel the package “is right at the top of the list” for the chamber. Carrie Armijo, cabinet secretary of the Health Care Authority, voiced the agency’s “strong support for the budget bill” and framed the appropriations as necessary to prepare for immediate administrative change. Multiple food-bank directors and advocacy groups asked lawmakers to act quickly to prevent interruptions in food assistance.

Opponents repeatedly challenged whether the full mix of multi‑year or programmatic funding belongs in an emergency special session. Representative Pettigrew argued much of the federal rollback takes effect in later years and asked why some lines were funded through fiscal year 2027 instead of being revisited in the regular 30‑day session. The sponsor and budget staff replied that some HR 1 provisions (including certain SNAP changes) have no effective date and that certain cuts or rescissions are already in effect, creating immediate need in many communities.

Committee members also pressed for specifics about implementation and oversight. Several members asked that the committee or agencies attach performance guardrails and reporting to nonrecurring multi‑year appropriations; staff said the largest appropriation—the rural health fund—remains governed by statutory guidelines and that the legislature and agencies will track implementation and expenditures.

Key program details in the bill include multi‑year stabilization funding for health providers, $8 million for food banks and pantry operations, targeted appropriations for public and tribal broadcasting stations facing federal rescissions, $100,000 to support interstate medical licensure compact work, and funding for workforce solutions to help New Mexicans meet new SNAP and Medicaid work or volunteer requirements. HCA testimony said the agency expects increased workload for eligibility checks and redeterminations and quantified staffing needs to process work‑requirement checkins.

In closing, the committee recorded a roll‑call vote after debate. Representative Luhan moved the bill, Representative Garrett seconded, and the committee chair announced the motion passed 11–7. The committee then adjourned.

What’s next: Passage in the Appropriations & Finance Committee advances HB1 to the next floor action in the House. Any further amendments, floor debate or Senate consideration were not part of this hearing.