This bill amends the structure and responsibilities of the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee in New Mexico. It increases the committee's membership from eight to twelve members, with six appointed from the House of Representatives and six from the Senate, ensuring proportional representation of the two major political parties. The bill also establishes that the chair and vice chair will alternate between the two houses every two years, with specific provisions for their appointments starting in 2025. Additionally, the committee is tasked with monitoring and overseeing health and human services programs, making annual reports, and recommending necessary legislation.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions that require state agencies to comply with requests for information from the committee and grants the committee the power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas. It mandates that the committee will have a year-round staff dedicated to its duties, provided by the legislative council service, and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to support these activities for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2026 will revert to the general fund.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 2-13-1, 2-13-2, 2-13-5