New Mexico Senate Democrats announced that the Senate Conservation Committee has passed the Community Benefit Fund, which includes Senate Bills 48 and 49. These bills are sponsored by Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart. The announcement was made in a press release on February 8, 2025.
According to the press release, the Clear Horizons Act, Innovation in Government Act, and associated bills aim to support New Mexico's efforts to reduce pollution and emissions while fostering a resilient future for its communities. The Community Benefit Fund provides $340 million to support local projects focusing on pollution reduction, grid reliability, renewable energy, workforce training, and community resilience. Funding is directed toward rural and underserved communities.
In 2024, New Mexico allocated nearly $150 million in emergency funds to address climate-related disasters such as wildfires, floods, and droughts. The Clear Horizons Act includes the Community Benefit Fund and Innovation in Government Act to tackle these challenges. Senate Bill 48 (CBF) and Senate Bill 49 (CBF appropriations) passed the Senate Conservation Committee by a 5-3 vote and will next be reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee. Additionally, Senate Bill 4, the companion bill to the Clear Horizons Act, will also be considered by the committee.
Stewart said that "The Clear Horizons Act and its accompanying legislation represent an opportunity for New Mexico to lead once again in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities." She added that "The Community Benefit Fund, in particular, gives New Mexicans the tools to invest in their future, adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather, and seize the economic opportunities that come with a clean energy transition."
The New Mexico Senate Democrats are led by Peter Wirth as Majority Floor Leader for District 25 (Santa Fe), Stewart as Senate President Pro Tem for District 17 (Bernalillo), Michael Padilla as Majority Whip for District 14 (Bernalillo), and Leo Jaramillo as Majority Caucus Chair for District 5 (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and Santa Fe), according to their website.
