LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Values StatementA just, equitable, and sustainable food system is one that provides physical, economic and community health; regenerates, protects, and respects natural resources and animals; and ensures that all people live with dignity and freedom from oppression and exploitation.

Issue Statement:  New Mexico’s food value chain is vulnerable with a disproportionate emphasis on exporting food outside of the state; insufficient food processing, storage and distribution systems; deficient systems to ensure the health of our vulnerable populations and natural resources; and inefficient plans to sustain and grow the agricultural economy of NM. 

Priority

Primary Ask/Goal

NM Grown for School Meals

Maintain $425,000 in NM Public Education Department’s (PED) base budget

2/2/21 Currently in the Legislative Finance Committee recommendations as part of the Public Education Department (PED) Student and Nutrition Wellness Program’s consolidated appropriations.

NMFAPC submitted a letter and email to House Appropriations and Finance Committee 2/15/21 requesting full support.

Outcome: Approximately $378,250  in House Bill 2/3a, page 128 
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Expand NM Grown Fruits & Vegetables for Senior Meals Program at Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD)

Appropriation to ALTSD in the amount of $250,000.  

No funding was requested in ALTSD base budget. 

Legislative Sponsors:  Senator Stefanics and Representative Gail Armstrong

 

Passed the Senate Conservation Committee on, 2/1.

Funding included in SB377a, Senate Budget, $97,600, page 33 and $50,000 for senior meal program.
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Introduce NM Grown for Early Childhood Nutrition Programs

Appropriation to Early Childhood EducationDepartment (ECED) in the amount of $100,000.  

Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Gail Armstrong and Rebecca Dow

Passed House Agriculture & Water Committee on 2/9/21.

The appropriation ($100,000) is not in the House Bill 2/3a (HB 2/3a), which was passed by the House.

Tabled in House Appropriations on 3/2.

Maintain the Healthy Soil Program

Maintain $227,000 in NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA) base budget for the Healthy Soil Program. 

No updates yet

Voluntary Income Tax Designation for the NM Healthy Soil Program

This bill would enable NM residents with tax refunds to contribute to the Healthy Soil
Program. Support for this program will benefit farmers and ranchers, the environment, public health and New Mexico’s emerging regenerative food economy. Providing creative funding mechanisms during a time of limited state resources is crucial.

Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Jack Chatfield, Gail Armstrong, Nathan Small and Christine Chandler

Passed House Agriculture & Water Committee on 2/2/21.

Passed House Taxation & Revenue Committee on 2/8/2021

Passed full House of Representatives Friday, 2/12/21. 

Passed the Senate Conservation Committee on 3/2.

Passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on 3/2.

Passed in the Senate – Y:36 N:1 on 3/16

Additional $50,000 to NMDA in SB377a, page 39
Passed in the Senate – Y:36 N:1 on 3/16 
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Maintain and Expand Funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Related Programs

Maintain and expand on $200K in NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA) for Soil and Water Conservation Districts and related programs and projects. 

No updates yet

Protect and Expand SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Program

Increase state appropriation in NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA) budget from $360,000 to $500,000 for Double Up Food Bucks program. State appropriation allows for match for federal funding, leveraging $6.6M federal grant 2021-2025.

Sponsor: Representative Gail Armstrong

 

Passed the House Agriculture and Water Committee on Tuesday, 2/16.

The appropriation ($500,000) is not in the House Bill 2/3a (HB 2/3a), which was passed by the House.

Maintain Capacity Building Funds for Value Chain and Food Safety Programs

Maintain state appropriation in NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA) budget of $150,000 for value chain coordination and food safety programs.

$50,000 for marketing and supply chain work in NMDA budget, SB377a, page 26, appropriations. 
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Loan & grant program to support food-related businesses in underserved areas. Includes Equitable Food Oriented Advisory Board to ensure BIPOC businesses and farms are supported. A state fund could be supported through federal funds of up to $2 million per year, plus private funding.

Legislative Sponsors: Senator Carrie Hamblen and Representative Angelica Rubio 

Passed the Senate Taxation, Business & Transportation Committee on 2/23.

Was passed by full Senate 3/12, 34-2

Passed House Health & Human Services on 3/15. 

$100,000 in SB377a, page 31, Appropriations
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

NM Public Education Food & Nutrition Programs
1. Breakfast After the Bell
2. Reduced Co-pay for School Meals
3. NM Grown Fruits & Vegetables for School Meals

Maintain programs and funding in the NM Public Education (NMPED) Student Success & Wellness Bureau budget 2021-22 (FY 2022) 

Breakfast After the Bell  – $1.6 million

Reduced Co-pay for School Meals – $600,000

NM Grown Fruits & Vegetables for School Meals – $425,000

Currently HB 2/3a has $1.65 million on page 127, lines 13-14.  We are asking that the Senate Finance Committee increase this to $2.65 million restoring pre-pandemic funds.

 

Currently in the Legislative Finance Committee recommendations as part of the NM Public Education Department (NMPED) Student and Nutrition Wellness Program’s consolidated appropriations.

NMFAPC submitted a letter and email to House Appropriations and Finance Committee 2/15/21 requesting full support.

$2,342,000 in House Bill 2/3a, page 125.
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

The Public Banking Act will establish a State Public Bank to improve the state’s focus, efficiency and effectiveness in the management of its funds. The public bank’s mission is to collaborate with community banks, credit unions and local governments in order to increase social capital, extend infrastructure and regenerates natural assets. Among these investments would be regenerative agriculture, expanding food production and processing, and protect water resources and the environment.

Legislative Sponsors: Senator Jeff Steinborn and Representatives Patricia Roybal Caballero and Andrea Romero

Bill introduced in the House – HB 236

HB 236 Passed House Commerce and Economic Development Committee on 2/17.

HB 236 tabled in the Appropriations and Finance Committee on 3/3.

ACTION ALERT: Contact the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee and request that they schedule a hearing for SB 313.

 

NM State University Cooperative Extension Service

Support continuation of funding for the Cooperative Extension Service $13,185,900. Agriculture Experiment Station $14,542,700 and Center of Excellence $250,000.

HB2/3a: House Appropriations Budget, funding, page 147, lines 1-6: Cooperative Extension Service $13,185,000, Agriculture Experiment Station $14,542,600 and Center of Excellence $232,800

 Appropriations Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Provides eligible agricultural businesses up to 50 percent of the costs to employ an intern, including wages, fixed expenses, and other costs. The agriculture business must provide an intern with at least 130 hours of work experience over no more than 1 year. The intern may not be a current or former employee or relative of the business owner or operator. Seeking $100,000 in funding to be administered by NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)

Legislative Sponsors: Senator Pat Woods and Representative Martin Zamora

Senate Conservation Committee:  Received a “Do Pass” on a Consent Calendar on 2/4/21.

$125,000 in SB377a, page 39, Appropriaions
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

NM Food & Agriculture Experiential Education Grant Program

Requests funding for the (“NM Food and Ag Education Grant”). This program was established in the NM Department of Agriculture in 2019 with legislative funding and is supported by many schools, organizations, and youth agriculture related programs. The Education Grant Program would provide funding to schools for experiential and entrepreneurial learning opportunities in food and agriculture.

Sponsor: Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton

Multiple funds appropriated and Signed by Governor to various FFA and 4-H program to NMSU.

Relating To Food; Enacting The Food, Hunger And Farm Act; Creating The Food, Hunger And Farm Council; Providing For Council Membership And Duties; Establishing Duties For Certain State Agencies To Develop And Report Recommendations For Targeted Plans To Address Hunger And Nutrition, Expand Access To Food And Promote Food And Agricultural Products From The State; Providing For Data Sharing On Hunger And Food Systems.

Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Stansbury, Ferrary and Bash, and Senator Stefanics 

Passed the House Agriculture & Water Committee on 2/20.

Tabled in House Appropriations Committee on 3/2.

$275,000 appropriated in SB377a, page18
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

An appropriation of $5 million for Emergency Food Bank Food Items

Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Joanne Ferrary, Melanie Stansbury, Karen Bash, Linda Serrato

Passed the House Health & Human Services Committee on 2/3/21

The appropriation ($5 million) is not in the House Bill 2/3a (HB 2/3a), which was passed by the House.

Sponsors: Reps: Joanne Ferrary, Melanie Stansbury, Karen Bash

Passed the House Agriculture & Water on 2/9/21.

The appropriation ($100,000) is not in the House Bill 2/3a (HB 2/3a), which was passed by the House.

$100,000 in SB377a, page 24, appropriated
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Local Economic and Rural Development Funding 

Legislative Sponsors: Senator Pat Woods, Liz Stefanics and Representatives Randal Crowder and Kelly Fajardo

Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee – Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution 2/1

Senate Tax, Business and Transportation – Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution 2/17

Referred to: Senate Finance Committee on 2/18

Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar for subsequent action on 2/24

Passed in the Senate – Y:36 N:4 on 3/1 

Passed the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Meat Processing and Marketing Program – $150,000 appropriation to the NM Department of Agriculture 

Sponsors: Representatives Jack Chatfield and Gail Armstrong

Note: See related bill HB 33 Livestock Board Meat Inspection Authorization

HB 121 Passed House Agriculture & Water Committee on Thursday, 2/4

Senate Bill SB 173 introduced.

Passed Senate Conservation Committee on 2/16.

The appropriation ($150,000) is not in the House Bill 2/3a (HB 2/3a), which was passed by the House.

Goes to Senate Finance.

Strengthen language for in-state entities to give preference to in-state procurement by municipalities and state government

Sponsor: Senator Bill O’Neill

Reported by Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee with “Do Not Pass” but with a “Do Pass” recommendation on the Committee Substitution.

An act relating to water; clarifying that a lease of water under a water right and subsequent use of that water shall not take effect until after the application has been approved in accordance with law; declaring an emergency. 

Legislative Sponsors: Senators Christine Chandler, Peter Wirth and Kristina Ortez

 

 

Passed House Agriculture & Water Committee on 2/13.

Passed the House Judiciary Committee on 3/1.

Scheduled for the House Floor.

Receive a “No Recommendation” House Judiciary Committee.

Bill Withdrawn.

$2 million to support After School & Summer Programs, educational activities and nutrition programs 

Legislative Sponsors: Representative Tara Lujan and Senator Bill Tallman

 

HB 247 Passed House Education Committee on 2/25.

Tabled in House Appropriation and Finance Committee on 3/2.

SB 206 Goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

Requested support by Senate Finance Committee. No funds in budget bills.

Livestock Board Meat Inspection Authorizing NM Livestock Board to Conduct Meat Inspections to Ensure Safety and Quality of Meat

Representatives: Rebecca Dow, Gail Armstrong, Andreas Romero

Passed the House Agriculture & Water on 2/9/21.

House Bill 2/3a passed by the House included funding of $500,000 to set up a meat inspection program through the NM Livestock Board contingent upon passage of HB 33.

Passed in the House of Representatives – Y:69 N:0 on 3/3

 

Sent to the Senate Conservation Committee on 3/4.

Passed Senate Conservation and Senate Finance

 

$500,000 appropriated, HB2/3a, page 189 
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

House Appropriation budget

Passed in the House of Representatives – Y:60 N:10 on 2/24

Sent to the Senate Finance Committee.
Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Supplemental Appropriations

Supplemental Appropriations – includes and “junior” dollars specific to programs

Passed by both the Senate and House. Passed on House floor on 3/15.

Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Relating To Climate Change Solutions; Enacting The Climate Solutions Act; Creating The Climate Leadership Council; Requiring The Development Of A Statewide Framework To Address Climate Change And Develop A Sustainable Economy; Establishing Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Requirements; Directing State Agencies To Adopt Rules As Appropriate To A State Agency’s Jurisdiction To Achieve Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions And Foster Inclusion In Workforce Development And Procurement Related To Climate Solutions; Directing The Environmental Improvement Board To Adopt Rules To Monitor Emissions Reductions And Provide For State Agency Reporting To The Climate Leadership Council; Requiring Annual Reporting; Directing The Climate Leadership Council To Recommend And Prioritize Funding From The Clean Energy Grants Fund; Amending A Definition In The Air Quality Control Act To Allow For Greater Oversight Of Sources Of Air Pollution. 

Legislative Sponsors:  Representatives Melanie A. Stansbury, Brian Egolf, Angelica Rubio, Mimi Stewart and Nathan P. Small

Passed the House Energy & Natural Resource Committee on 2/6/21.

Passed House State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.

 

Creating flexibility in the anti-donation clause, expanding the definitions, including social determinants of health. 

Legislative Sponsor: Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino

Sent to Senate Health and Public Affairs 2/17/21.

 

An Act relating to food; enacting the homemade food act; providing definitions; establishing labeling and information requirements for homemade food items; exempting non-potentially hazardous homemade food items from regulation pursuant to the food service sanitation act or the New Mexico food act; establishing state preemption of regulation of homemade food items. 

Legislative Sponsor: Representatives Zachary Cook and Marian Matthews

House Agriculture & Water Committee: Tabled on 2/9 The bill will not move to the next committee.

NMFAPC worked with the sponsor on a substitute bill, which passed the House Agriculture & Water Committee.

Moves to House Judiciary.

HB 177A substitute passed the House Agriculture and Judiciary Committees and the House floor. 

Passed the Senate Conservation Committee on 3/16

Signed by Governor Lujan Grisham

Study Regional Livestock Slaughter Units

A memorial requesting the New Mexico department of agriculture to study the economic benefits of regional mobile livestock slaughter units to make it easier for small ranchers to have their livestock slaughtered, cut and wrapped for personal use or intrastate sale.

 

Passed House Agriculture & Water  Committee on 2/4.

Passed full House of Representatives on 2/12.

Memorial passed. $50,000 vetoed

Food accessibility act–exempting certain food sales from licensure, regulation and inspection requirements; allowing the acquisition of meat pursuant to ownership of an animal share; directing the establishment of a state meat inspection program; exempting meat from the gross receipts tax and governmental gross receipts tax; amending and enacting sections of the NMSA 1978; declaring an emergency.

Sponsor: Senator Pirtle

NMFAPC opposes this bill as it was originally written.

Senate Conservation Committee: Received a “no recommendation” vote 4-4, 2/4/21.

Passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee with an amendment on 3/1.

Died.

Relating To Public Assistance; Establishing Guidelines To Restrict Purchases Under The Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program To Those Foods Available Under The Federal Women, Infants And Children Nutrition Assistance Program. Legislative Sponsor: Senator Pirtle

 

NMFAPC opposes this bill.

Tabled in Senate Health & Public Affairs on 3/14.

Died.

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