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Science & Technology Committee prioritizes data centers, AI law and small-modular nuclear briefings for the interim
Summary
Committee staff proposed a travel and work plan emphasizing rotating visits to state research institutions and new topics including data-center impacts, AI legislation in other states, and small-modular/fusion nuclear technology; members urged tours, stakeholder briefings, and workforce and decommissioning analysis.
Staff presented a draft interim work plan and travel schedule that would rotate committee visits among New Mexico research institutions (UNM, NMSU, New Mexico Tech and Navajo Technical University) and includes a proposed Crown Point visit that may require overnight logistics for members.
"This year...the proposal includes a visit to Crown Point," staff said, noting the need for an attendance sign-in sheet to gauge feasibility. Members flagged Crown Point's travel time and potential attendance issues.
Committee members pushed to add several high-priority items to the interim agenda. Multiple legislators urged in-depth study of data-center impacts: energy and cooling needs, water usage, life-cycle costs, decommissioning and local permitting. Representative Garrett and others said county-level regulation varies and decommissioning was a common concern among communities.
Members also recommended sustained review of AI policy developments from other states and potential federal guidance, asking DUIT to help the committee understand which statutes and enforcement actions might affect state policy choices.
Several legislators suggested briefings on small-modular reactors and fusion companies active in New Mexico (Pacific Fusion, Kairos Power), including potential tours when facilities or projects reach substantive milestones. Members emphasized workforce and federal funding for research as additional agenda items.
Next steps: staff will circulate a sign-up sheet for the Crown Point visit, incorporate member suggestions (data-center briefings, AI legislation comparisons, nuclear-technology presentations), and coordinate potential tours and presentations with agencies and labs.
