SENATE BILL 21

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Leo Jaramillo and Cynthia Borrego and Siah Correa Hemphill

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTERS; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR STATEWIDE AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS--STATEWIDE AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT.--The department of finance and administration shall establish a program to distribute funds appropriated to the department for statewide and local firefighter recruitment. The department shall establish criteria for the distribution of funds to state and local fire departments for firefighter recruitment. Fire departments, including volunteer fire departments, may use the funds to recruit firefighters who are certified and have taken the oath prescribed for firefighters and for licensed emergency medical technicians.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of finance and administration for expenditure in fiscal years 2025 through 2027 for statewide and local firefighter recruitment. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.

- 2 -