Representative Karen Herndon brought House Bill 419 to the committee as the Correctional Reentry Workforce Program; the sponsors described the bill as an investment in workforce training, career development and wraparound services for the state’s reentry population.

A friendly amendment clarified the fiscal agent and program uses. Nina Chavez of Goodwill Industries of New Mexico explained the amendment: it names Newmark, the New Mexico Association of Regional Councils, as the fiscal agent, directs an RFP process for regional providers, and outlines primary uses of funding including case managers for up to 15 months, peer mentors, data analysts and wraparound services other than housing (for example transportation and communication). Chavez said housing support was excluded from the listed wraparound items.

Committee members discussed administration and provider selection. Representative Mason asked whether the Department of Finance or Goodwill would administer funds; sponsors said Newmark will serve as fiscal agent and that awards will be made by competitive RFP to multiple providers who have worked in a coalition over the prior 10 months.

Multiple public speakers supported the bill. Ralph Martinez, a community activist and reentry program operator, described local reentry services and introduced program participants. A program participant who spoke described personal experience in the program and credited it with opening employment opportunities. A speaker identified in the record as Patrick Barrett, executive director of the New Mexico Center of Black Excellence, said the bill would benefit individuals returning from the Department of Corrections and urged a due pass. Pascual Maestas, executive director of the New Mexico Association of Regional Councils, said Newmark supports serving as fiscal agent and offered to answer committee questions.

Vice Chair Sanchez moved to adopt the amendment; the committee approved the amendment without recorded opposition. Sanchez then moved a due-pass recommendation on the amended bill, seconded by Representative Anita Gonzales. The committee recorded a final vote in which the majority approved the bill and Ranking Member Lord cast a recorded no vote; the chair announced a due pass on House Bill 419 as amended.

The amendment and the bill now advance; the transcript records the fiscal agent designation, listed service line items, and an RFP-based approach to selecting regional providers.