HAFC staff reviewed natural resources high‑level proposals that would increase operating support for several agencies. Notable items in the HAFC scenario included a recurring $1,500,000 increase for personnel at the Office of the State Engineer, a recurring $300,000 increase for State Parks personnel and a one‑time $6,000,000 bump (raising the line from $3,000,000 to $9,000,000) to fully fund soil and water conservation districts for three years.

Staff explained the $1.5 million for the Office of the State Engineer is the agency’s top recurring priority and would be distributed across divisions to address staff salary and retention shortfalls; the increase would raise the agency’s general fund increase toward roughly 8 percent and, with other compensation packages, toward about 10.8 percent overall.

The one‑time soil and water conservation district appropriation is intended to cover operating expenses and would be routed through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to the independent soil and water conservation districts. Committee members representing rural and fire‑affected areas supported the increase, describing the districts as uniquely positioned to work on private land to stabilize soils, repair post‑fire erosion and support watershed recovery.

Representative Pettigrew asked for a district‑level breakdown and for staff to confirm which state agency would administer the funds; staff said the funds would flow through the Department of Agriculture, which is administratively connected to New Mexico State University for those programmatic relationships.

Members also noted that State Parks lost capacity during the COVID pandemic and supported modest personnel increases to implement increased fee revenues and maintenance needs.

Ending: The natural resources work group concluded its review; HAFC staff will provide requested district breakdowns and technical language as the package moves to the full committee.