HOUSE BILL 109

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Kristina Ortez and Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; CREATING THE EXTREME WEATHER RESILIENCE FUND; MAKING A TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE EXTREME WEATHER RESILIENCE FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] EXTREME WEATHER RESILIENCE FUND CREATED.--

          A. The "extreme weather resilience fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, income from investment of the fund and any other money otherwise allocated to the fund. The department shall administer the fund. Money in the fund is appropriated to the department for the purposes set forth in Subsection B of this section. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

          B. Money in the extreme weather resilience fund may be used by the department to make grants of up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) to political subdivisions of the state or Indian nations, tribes or pueblos to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies related to extreme weather and other climate impacts; provided that grants to an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo shall be expended only within the exterior boundaries of the state.

          C. The secretary shall prioritize grant applications that:

                (1) emphasize planning, projects and activities that benefit people in low-income and disadvantaged communities;

                (2) integrate public health concerns and recommendations with other local climate adaptation plans or local emergency preparedness plans, projects and activities;

                (3) emphasize planning, projects and activities that are also eligible for grants from federal or other state programs or help New Mexico become eligible for federal funds; and

                (4) involve local and tribal health councils as direct participants in the planning process.

          D. At least fifty percent of the total grants approved by the secretary shall be awarded to political subdivisions with total human populations equal to or fewer than one hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census."

     SECTION 2. TRANSFER.--Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) is transferred from the general fund to the extreme weather resilience fund.

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