NM Food & Agriculture Policy Council
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Values Statement: A 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.
Briefing and Fact Sheets
HB2a
Bill
Purpose
Purpose: Aging & Long-Term Service Department special request included on the FY26 increase to the Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund. Currently 177 of the state’s 240 senior centers are purchasing NM grown and raised foods. Funding would allow the ALTSD to expand the program to all senior centers and provide more funds for buying locally grown products.
Agency budget: Aging & Long Term Services Department (ALTSD)
February 25 – HB2a was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. Contact Senate Finance Committee to request $1.5 million in funding for this program.
February 24 – HB2a Passed in the House of Representatives – Y:50 N:18
February 18 – No funding in the version of HB2 that was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC)
Purpose: Sixty-seven out of 89 School Food Authorities are purchasing New Mexico grown and raised food serving more than 300,000 New Mexico students in school meal programs. This is in alignment with the Healthy Universal School Meals program.
Agency budget: NM Public Education Department (NMPED)
February 25 – HB2a was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. Contact Senate Finance Committee to request $2.3 million in funding for this program.
February 24 – HB2a Passed in the House of Representatives – Y:50 N:18
February 18 – No funding in the version of HB2 that was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: The Approved Supplier Program is the state’s food quality assurance program essential to NM Grown procurement. It connects farmers, ranchers, and producers to institutions such as food banks, childcare centers, and senior centers. Benefiting more than 300 producers statewide, sales for FY26 are projected at $7.5 million, with continued growth expected in FY27 and beyond.
Agency budget: NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
Lead organization: NM Farmers’ Marketing Association
February 25 – HB2a was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. Contact Senate Finance Committee to request that $430,000 be kept in the budget for this program.
February 24 – HB2a passed in the House of Representatives – Y:50 N:18
February 18 – $430,00 is in HB2a which was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC)
February 12 – HB229 Received a “Do Pass” from the House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Committee (HAAWC). Thank you to those who showed up to support!
January 30 – HB229 was sent to the House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Committee (HAAWC).
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: Recurring line item in the NMPED budget of $41 million. Statutorily required. $9.7 million recurring increase, $5 million special, $7.8 million supplemental, and $3 million deficiency funding requests will fully fund implementation of the Healthy Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act (22-13C-1 NMSA 1978).
Agency budget: NM Public Education Department (NMPED)
February 25 – HB2a was sent to the Senate Finance Committee.
February 24 – HB2a passed in the House of Representatives – Y:50 N:18
February 18 – Recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC). $7.848 million for the fiscal year 2025 shortfall, See HB2a, page 224
$3.054 million for the prior year shortfall, See HB2a, page 224
$5 million, for healthy universal school meals (contingency), See HB2a, page 214, lines 7-8 page 215, lines 16 and 17
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Note: NMFAPC is requesting recurring funding for this program.
Purpose: This funding will support expanding farmers’ market nutrition program incentives to more than 23,162 individuals through the Senior and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. In additions, over 555 individual farmers benefit from this program.
Agency budget: NM Department of Health (NMDOH)
February 25 – HB2a was sent to the Senate Finance Committee. Contact Senate Finance Committee to request $1 million in funding for this program.
February 24 – HB2a passed in the House of Representatives – Y:50 N:18
February 18 – No funding in HB2a which was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Note: This program was not recommended by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC).
Purpose: This grant program serves as the cornerstone to a developing suite of financial tools and technical assistance for food and agricultural enterprises to grow, raise, process, aggregate, distribute, and sell local, fresh, healthy food through expanded retail and institutional in-state market channels in rural and underserved communities. Program expansion will support the creation of more than 70 new jobs, with a demonstrated track record of 75 jobs created since the inception of the program.
Agency budget: Economic Development Department (EDD)
February 18 – $2 million is in the version of HB2 that was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Note: NMFAPC is requesting recurring funding for this program.
Purpose: The Early Childhood Education and Care Fund incentivizes the adoption of higher meal standards, including scratch cooking and locally-sourced ingredients, in childcare settings statewide. The Brighter Meals program integrates with the State’s FOCUS Quality Rating Improvement System and ties improved meal standards to measurable quality benchmarks for childcare providers leading to higher quality meals for approximately 10,000 children.
Agency budget: Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD)
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: The Health Care Authority (HCA) would fund critical infrastructure including – mobile grocery units, cold storage, and refrigerated transportation – and emergency food for communities statewide. including “farm to food bank” programs.
Agency budget: NM Health Care Authority (HCA)
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: This program will support nutrition interventions for more than 3,000 homebound seniors and 2,400 pregnant individuals. Interventions include medically tailored meals, fruit and vegetable prescriptions, protein box prescriptions, and healthy food vouchers.
Agency budget: NM Health Care Authority (HCA)
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: This program will provide grab and go healthy meals, low-cost or free access to campus dining meal plans, and/or innovations to food distribution systems that support up to 15,500 food insecure students.
Agency budget: Higher Education Department (HED)
Purpose: In support of regionally appropriate projects that improve farmers and ranchers’ ability to manage, conserve, and efficiently apply limited water resources for agriculture production.
Agency budget: NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
February 18 – No funding in the version of HB2 that was recommended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC). Contact Senate Finance Committee to request $10 million in funding for this program.
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Purpose: An expert with agricultural background is needed to accomplish state actions outlined in the Governor’s 50 Year Water Plan and support agricultural participation in regional water planning under the Water Security Planning Act.
Agency budget: NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC).
Note: The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) is recommending this.
Purpose: The demands on this fund, available to the state’s 14 active associations, continually exceed available monies – typically by a factor of nearly two. The requested amount would bring this fund to $1,250,000.
Agency budget: NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
Purpose: The demands on this fund, available to the state’s 14 active associations, continually exceed available monies – typically by a factor of nearly two. The requested amount would bring this fund to $1,250,000.
Institutional Budget: NM Tech – Higher Education
January 21 – HB2 was sent to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC). The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) has recommeded $19 million.
Purpose: Senate Memorial (SM19) requests the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Public Education Department (PED) to establish a work group to develop a plan ensuring that 50 percent of beef, cheese, and milk served in public schools is sourced and processed within New Mexico. The work group must report its recommendations to legislative committees studying agriculture and education by November 1, 2025.
Legislative Sponsors: Senators Crystal Brantley, Pat Boone, Candy Spence Ezzell and Pat Woods
Agencies: NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and NM Public Education Department (NMPED)
March 13 – Signed by one or both houses ((for legislation not requiring Governor’s signature).
March 11 – Passed unanimously in the Senate Y:43, N:0
Purpose: Making an appropriation to the higher education department for a program at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) for research into and education and outreach about pollinators to support a healthy habitat and conservation. This program will dedicated funds for personnel, research, outreach and education program
Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Joanne J. Ferrary and Cristina Parajón and Kristina Ortez and Kathleen Cates
Agency Budget: NM Dept. of Fish & Game or Natural Resources in collaboration with the NM Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
March 5 – Passed HGEIC with a vote of 6-2.
February 18 – Sent to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee
Veterinary Repayment Loan Program
SB8
HB90
Requesting: $5 million
Purpose:
Legislative Sponsors:
SB8 – Senators Pat Woods, Tara L. Lujan, Pat Boone, Anita Gonzales, Harlan Vincent
HB90 – Representatives Gail Armstrong and Martin Zamora, and Senator Pat Woods
March 10 – SB8 passed the House Education Committee
February 26 – SB8 passed in the Senate – Y:40 N:0
February 22 – SB8 passed unanimously in Senate Finance Committee (SFC).
February 4 – SB8 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC); Goes to Senate Finance Committee (SFC).
February 4 – SB8 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC).
January 30 – SB8: Passed Senate Education Committee (SEC), goes to Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC).
January 23 – HB90 was sent to the House Education Committee (HEC).
Purpose: Making an appropriation to the board of regents of New Mexico State University for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for grants to assist state meat processors in facing economic and technological challenges.
Legislative Sponsor: Representative Jack Chatfield
Note: NMFAPC is currently neutral on this bill.
February 22 – $3.3 million in HBa recommended by House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC>
February 5 – Received a “Do Pass” from the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources (HAAWC).
February 4 – Scheduled for House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources (HAAWC).
Purpose: An act relating to infrastructure; enacting the land grant-merced and acequia infrastructure act; creating the land grant-merced and acequia infrastructure trust fund; creating the land grant merced infrastructure project fund and the acequia infrastructure project fund; making appropriations.
HB 330 Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Miguel P. García, Leo Jaramillo and Javier Martínez
SB 374 Legislative Sponsors: Senators Leo Jaramillo, Pete Campos, Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales
March 15 – HB330 pass in the Senate Conservation Committee (SCONC) with amendments.
March 10 – HB330 passed in the House of Representatives – Y:47 N:16
March 7 – SB374 passed the Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee
March 7 – HB330 passed in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee (HTRC)
February 19 – HB330 Passed the House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs (HRDLC) with an amendment
Purpose: Support the NM Alliance of Health Councils advocating for recurring optimal funding to leverage County & Tribal Health Councils for success in service of communities statewide. Health Councils are the lifeline for New Mexicans and a critical function of public health. www.nmhealthcouncils.org/advocacy
Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson, Joseph Franklin Hernandez, D. Wonda Johnson, and Senators Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics and Linda Lopez
Purpose: The purpose of the combined bill SB 21 is to ensure that New Mexico has tools to protect clean water. The bills would enable the New Mexico Environment Department to administer surface water permitting by taking over those responsibilities now covered by the EPA through the Clean Water Act.
Legislative Sponsors: Senators Peter Wirth, Kristina Ortez, Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales
March 11 – The combined bill SB21 (SB21and SB22) has been placed on the House Temporary Calendar
March 11 – The combined bill SB21 (SB21and SB22) passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee (HENRC)
March 4 – The combined bill SB21 (SB21and SB22) passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee (HENRC)
February 26 – The combined bill SB21 (SB21 and SB22) passed in the Senate – Y:25 N:16; sent to House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee (HENRC)
February 21 – Passed the Senate Finance Committee; Goes to to the Senate Floor
January 30 – Received a “Do Pass” from the Senate Conservation Committee; Goes to Senate Judiciary Committee.SB21
Purpose: An act relating to water; increasing the annual transfer from the New Mexico irrigation works construction fund to the acequia and community ditch infrastructure fund.
Legislative Sponsors: Senator Pete Campos
January 30 – Sent to Senate Conservation Committee (SCONC).
Purpose: House Memorial declaring January 29 “New Mexico Food and Farms Day” in the House of Representatives in celebration of community food and farm initiatives toward ending hunger.
Legislative Sponsor: Representative Joanne Ferrary; Senators Pete Campos and Liz Stefanics
January 29 – The Memorial was read on the House floor.
Purpose: Senate Certificate declaring January 30 “New Mexico Food and Farms Day” in theSenate in celebration of community food and farm initiatives toward ending hunger.
Legislative Sponsor: Senators Pete Campos and Liz Stefanics
January 30 Senate Certificate for Food & Farms Day presented on the Senate Floor.
Purpose: 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 to increase social capital, expand infrastructure, and regenerate natural assets. Among these investments would be regenerative agriculture, expanding production and processing, and protecting water resources and the environment.
Legislative Sponsors: Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero and Senator Jeff Steinborn
February 19 – This bill was withdrawn by AFLEP and the bill sponsors for this session.
February 6 – HB130 was heard in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. This prompted some questions from committee members which are being addressed. AFLEP is conferring with the bill’s sponsors to make changes to address points in question. The bill is expected to go back to this committee after the changes are made.
February 5, 1:30pm Room 317 – Will be heard in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. –
Purpose: Proposing to repeal and replace article 9, section 14 of the constitution of New Mexico to allow the state, counties, school districts and municipalities to make donations of public funds to private persons or private entities for public purposes and to repeal article 4, section 31 of the constitution of New Mexico, which prohibits appropriations for charitable, educational or other benevolent purposes to a person or entity not under the full control of the state.
Legislative Sponsors: Representatives Kathleen Cates, Andrea Romero, Christine Chandler, Patricia Roybal Caballero
February 18 – Reported by 2/18/25 Reported by committee without a recommendation without a recommendation; Goes to the House Judiciary Committee.
February 3 – Sent to the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee (HGEIC) and House Judicial Committee (HJC)