INCREASE HEALTH COMMITTEE & MAKE PERMANENT

SB 488 increases New Mexico's Legislative Health and Human Services Committee from eight to twelve members and designates it as a permanent committee. The bill requires year-round staff with health or human services expertise, mandates state agencies to provide requested information upon a committee majority vote, and grants the committee subpoena power and authority to administer oaths during hearings. It appropriates $500,000 for committee staffing and operations in fiscal years 2025-2026. This bill directly affects the committee’s structure, oversight capabilities, and interactions with state agencies.