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The legislature is coming to a close and the budget has passed both chambers
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This is Jason Espinoza with today’s capitol report.
The 2024 30-day Legislative Session ends Thursday, February 15th at Noon. In the 30-day session legislators introduced 658 bills, 82 memorials, 35 resolutions and constitutional amendments. 237 (or 36 percent) of the bills have not been ruled germane.
The primary goal of the 2024 session has been accomplished. The House of Representatives and the State Senate have both agreed upon and passed the budget, which is now headed to the Governor’s desk for review, signature, and potentially line-item vetoes.
The final budget changes in the Senate included increased rates for rural hospitals provides an additional $8 million to increase developmental disabilities (DD) waiver program provider rates along with reauthorizing and providing $5 million in nonrecurring funding for food banks.
Additionally, the Senate Finance changes provide funding for rural healthcare hospital rate increases and includes $50 million to support operations of small hospitals. The changes also add recurring resources for veterans to support suicide prevention, transportation, burial equity, and homelessness initiatives. Additionally, the housing trust fund is increased to $50 million by the Senate Finance changes for affordable housing efforts, including for New Mexicans with behavioral health needs and victims of domestic violence.
For the New Mexico News Network, I’m Jason Espinoza
