Santa Fe, NM – Today, a bill giving New Mexico’s state agencies the tools to be proactive against the climate crisis passed the Senate floor.
Senate Bill 83, the Innovation in State Government Fund, marks a critical step toward ensuring state agencies have the resources needed to tackle climate change, reduce pollution, and protect New Mexico’s air, land, water, and cherished way of life. Sponsored by Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque), the bill creates a dedicated fund to equip agencies with the staffing, technology, and expertise required to implement smart, long-term climate solutions that will benefit communities statewide.
“We can either give our state the tools to tackle climate challenges head-on, or we can keep playing catch-up while New Mexicans pay the price in droughts, floods, fires, and rising costs,” said Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart. “This bill ensures that state agencies have the capacity to take action—whether it’s reducing harmful pollution, modernizing infrastructure, or making sure that every community, urban and rural alike, has the tools to remain resilient and economically strong.”
Senate Bill 83 establishes the Innovation in State Government Fund, which invests $10 million to bring state agencies up to speed to address New Mexico’s climate challenges, advancing clean energy, and protecting public health. The bill will:
Expand agency capacity – Providing key departments like the Environment Department and Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department with the workforce and technology needed to implement climate policy effectively.
Promote a resilient economy – Supporting a transition to industries that provide good-paying jobs, lessen dependence on extractive industries, and ensure stable, long-term economic growth.
Strengthen pollution monitoring – Enhancing data collection, tracking emissions, and enforcing environmental protections to keep New Mexico’s communities safe.
Ensure accountability – Requiring agencies to report on progress, ensuring transparency in how funds are used to meet climate and sustainability goals.
Currently, New Mexico agencies tasked with addressing pollution and implementing clean energy solutions lack the resources to fully enforce existing rules or take advantage of available federal funding. Senate Bill 83 centers climate in agency budgets, ensuring that state government can be proactive, not reactive, in addressing environmental challenges and supporting industries and communities in evolving to a cleaner future.
“This is about ensuring New Mexico stays on track to meet our climate goals while equipping our communities for the challenges ahead,” said Senator Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque). “With this funding, we can give state agencies the tools to track progress, support community resilience, and drive innovation—ensuring working families and businesses thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
“We should all be concerned,” said Senator Harold Pope Jr., speaking about the bill on the Senate Floor. “Our young people are constantly asking us ‘what are we doing?’ We should try to leave this world a better place for them. In fact, there needs to be more money in this bill for our agencies to do something. Let’s step up to lead as New Mexicans, and let’s step up to the challenge. Younger generations are looking to us to step up.”
With Senate passage (26-14), SB 83 will now move to the House for further consideration. The bill’s funding is already included in House Bill 2, the state budget.
For more information, visit www.clearhorizonsnm.org.
###
