HB 88/a FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT FUND IN DFA

Rep Cynthia D Borrego

Actions: HPREF [2] HGEIC/HAFC-HGEIC [3] DP-HAFC [7] DP/a [9] fl/a- PASSED/H (65-0) [6] SFC-SFC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 88 (HB 88) directs the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to establish a program to distribute funds appropriated to the DFA for recruitment of statewide and local firefighter and emergency medical technicians and makes an appropriation. 

 House Bill 88 (HB 88) directs the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to establish a program to distribute funds appropriated to the DFA for recruitment of statewide and local firefighter and emergency medical technicians.

The directive includes development of criteria for distribution and stipulates that fire departments, including volunteer fire departments, may use the funds to recruit certified and eligible firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

Thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) is appropriated to the General Fund to the DFA to support this program.
 

 Efforts have previously been made to establish a recruitment fund and distribution model for firefighters and EMTs in New Mexico, but this particular model is not yet available. If the bill does not pass, funds will have to be found and administered through other avenues. 

 Amended February 1, 2024 in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee

HAFCa/HB 88: House Bill 88 (HB 88) was amended by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee as follows:

1. On page 1, line 14, strike "; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION". 

2. On page 2, strike lines 3 through 9 in their entirety.



Amended February 3, 2024 on the House Floor

HFa/HB 88: The House Floor amendment to House Bill 88 (HB 88) makes the following changes:

1. On page 1, line 14, after "FIREFIGHTER", insert "AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN". 

2. On page 1, line 14, before the period, insert "; CREATING THE FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT FUND". 

3. On page 1, line 18, after "FIREFIGHTER", insert "AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN". 

4. On page 1, line 21, after "firefighter", insert "and emergency medical technician". 

5. On page 1, line 23, after "firefighter", insert "and emergency medical technician". 

6. On page 1, line 25, after "firefighters", strike the remainder of the line. 

7. On page 2, line 1, strike "the oath prescribed for firefighters" and after "and", strike "for licensed". 

8. On page 2, between lines 2 and 3, insert: "SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT FUND.--The "firefighter recruitment fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of distributions, appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and income from investment of the fund. The department of finance and administration shall administer the fund. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature for the purpose of firefighter and emergency medical technician recruitment. Expenditures from the fund shall be .228042.2 FIFTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION HFl/HB 88, aa Page 2 by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of finance and administration or the secretary's authorized representative.". 
 

 HB 101 Firefighter and Emergency Peer Support Act