The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee on March 13 recommended passage of Senate Bill 83, which would create a $10 million Innovation in State Government Fund to help seven state agencies plan and implement climate, resilience and clean-energy programs. The committee voted 5-2 to advance the bill.

Sponsor Sen. Stewart said the bill “invests in the expertise, workforce and resources needed” for agencies to address climate change and support clean-energy development. In his presentation he described a grant and reporting structure to enable agencies to produce master plans and support communities seeking federal and private funding.

The bill as described in the hearing would direct $10 million over two years, with two agencies receiving $2.5 million each (Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the New Mexico Environment Department) and five agencies receiving $1 million each (Department of Transportation; Workforce Solutions; Economic Development Department; the Public Regulation Commission; and the State Land Office). The sponsor said the line-item allocations are part of the budget process.

Supporters included Travis Kellerman, senior climate adviser in the governor’s office, who said SB83 “unlocks new federal and private investment” and builds the capacity to execute climate policies. Anna Linden Weller of Western Resource Advocates said the bill provides “dedicated and flexible funding for state agencies” that have otherwise had to cobble resources together.

Public commenters and several committee members discussed workforce and job impacts. Committee members asked how the bill’s language on “addition of new jobs statewide and replacement of jobs that rely on the extraction or development of natural resources” should be read. Sen. Stewart and supporters said the bill is not intended to eliminate extractive-sector employment but to expand training and opportunities in clean-energy and resilience jobs; the sponsor pointed to community requests such as a San Juan technical training proposal seeking $7 million.

Some members questioned duplication of existing funding and agency capacity following six years under the governor’s executive order on climate. Representative Montoya and others expressed concern that the state has already prioritized these issues and that the bill might duplicate existing grant programs. The sponsor and supporters said the measure emphasizes technical assistance to help rural and under-resourced communities apply for grants and to accelerate implementation of programs already authorized by the legislature and executive orders.

Accountability provisions in the bill require annual reporting to the Department of Finance and Administration and compliance with the state Governmental Accountability Act and a referenced GROW (Government Results and Opportunity) program; agencies would also report to interim legislative committees. Supporters said that reporting requirement is designed to ensure transparency about fund allocations and outcomes.

Representative Garcia moved a blue pass recommendation; the committee voted 5-2 to advance SB83. Committee debate and testimony are in the hearing record; the committee chair announced the motion carried 5-2. The bill’s allocations and reporting obligations were discussed at length; supporters emphasized technical assistance and workforce development, while critics cautioned against redundancy and urged precise eligibility language for grant recipients.