Today at 11:00am, the second special session of 2020 convened. Our state’s legislators continue to debate a bill authorizing the distribution of $330 million of federal CARES Act funding. Currently the package contains provisions for:
- $194 million to the Department of Workforce Solutions, including $150,000 earmarked for one-time checks of $1,200 to unemployment claimants
- $100 million in grants of up to $50,000 to New Mexico businesses with up to 100 employees, with a priority for those in the hospitality and leisure industry and those most severely impacted by the public health orders
- $5 million for one-time $750 checks for those who did not receive the $1,200 federal coronavirus relief checks
- $15 million for emergency housing assistance
- $5 million for emergency food bank assistance
The bill also contains appropriations related to the state’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic:
- $10,000,000 for the Department of Health for contact tracing, testing, and vaccine distribution
- $200,000 to the Administrative Office of the Courts to cover costs incurred in implementing public health orders
An amendment sponsored by Senator Ron Griggs added 501(c)(8) fraternal organizations to the list of entities eligible for the $50,000 grants.
You can read the full version of the most current draft of the bill here.
We’ll keep you updated as things develop. If you didn’t receive the Legislative Roundup preview of the special session last night, you may not be on our distribution list – email Sara Fitzgerald at [email protected] to join.