Committee backs continued funding for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People task force
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Summary
Senate Bill 249 to continue funding for the Indigenous Peoples / Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) task force and maintain an Attorney General’s Office portal received broad support from tribal representatives and a unanimous due-pass recommendation from the committee.
Senator Pinto presented Senate Bill 249 to continue appropriation and support for the Indigenous Peoples Task Force and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Task Force. The sponsor said the bill would maintain a portal and the task force’s work within the Attorney General’s Office and emphasized the need for continued support to resolve outstanding cases.
Supporters included Micah Vitsany of Bold Futures, Conroy Chino representing the Pueblos of Acoma and Taos, and Dr. Joni Swena, assistant secretary for Native American Early Education and Care. Dr. Swena said continued funding supports sustained coordination, improved data collection and survivor-centered responses across jurisdictions. "This investment also helps ensure accountability and long term action," she said.
Sponsor remarks suggested the finance committee may consider roughly $1,000,000 in budget discussions "to see if we can squeeze it in somewhere," Pinto said; the committee moved a due pass and recorded a unanimous 4-0 recommendation.
The committee’s action advances SB 249 to further budget and legislative review; the exact appropriation and placement in HB2 were not finalized in the hearing.
