URANIUM MINE CLEANUP

SB 226 appropriates $50 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Environment for assessing and cleaning abandoned or neglected contaminated sites, primarily focusing on uranium mining sites without responsible parties to fund cleanup. The funds are available for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2029. This bill directly affects the state budget and communities near contaminated sites, as it provides a dedicated funding source for cleanup where private parties cannot be held accountable. The key mechanism is the dedicated state funding for site assessment and remediation, targeting sites that otherwise would remain unaddressed due to lack of liability.