RESEARCH ZONING MATTERS SPEAKERS

SB 446 appropriates $200,000 to the University of New Mexico's political science department to study the demographics of people speaking at housing and construction-related hearings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque during fiscal year 2026. The research will collect data on speakers' age, sex, race, homeownership status, place of birth, and whether they represent neighborhood associations, then summarize findings in a report for state officials by June 30, 2026. Unspent funds would revert to the state general fund. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is not currently active.