STATE News:

SANTA FE – Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives concurred with a Senate-amended proposal to provide emergency funding to New Mexico’s judiciary branch.

House Bill 261, as amended by the Senate, makes supplemental appropriations for the New Mexico Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It will provide $80,000 to the Supreme Court to help meet a projected $82,600 shortfall in its current year budget, and it gives $1.6 million to the AOC to pay for jury and witness fees as well as other operational needs. The bill is sponsored Reps. Nate Gentry (R-Bernalillo) and Zachary Cook (R-Lincoln and Otero).

“Justice Daniels came to us and spoke on the urgent need for this funding, and we listened,” Rep. Nate Gentry said. “We followed the established process for this type of supplemental appropriation, worked hard to evaluate our options, and identified the correct funding levels. The process worked, and I’m pleased with the bill we are now providing to Gov. Martinez for her signature.”

House Bill 261 now goes to the governor for action.