HB 329

                                1  HOUSE BILL 329
                                2     57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026
                                3  INTRODUCED BY
                                4  Meredith A. Dixon and Debra M. Sariñana
                                5
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                                8
                                9
                                10  AN ACT
                                11   RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES; CREATING THE ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
                                12   AND GRID RELIABILITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING DUTIES; MAKING AN
                                13   APPROPRIATION.
                                14
                                15   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
                                16        SECTION 1.     [NEW MATERIAL] ENERGY AFFORDABILITY AND GRID
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                                17   RELIABILITY COUNCIL CREATED--PURPOSE--MEMBERSHIP--PUBLIC
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                                18   REGULATION COMMISSION TO STAFF.--
                                19  A.     The "energy affordability and grid reliability
                                20   council" is created to:
                                21  (1)   evaluate strategies to protect consumers
                                22   by maintaining affordable electric and natural gas utility
                                23   rates while ensuring prudent and timely investment in grid
                                24   modernization, reliability and resilience;
                                25  (2)   examine options to support additional
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                                1    energy production, generation capacity and infrastructure
                                2    necessary to meet growing consumer demand and enhance economic
                                3    development opportunities, consistent with the Energy
                                4    Transition Act;
                                5  (3)   assess regulatory, financing and planning
                                6    mechanisms that balance cost containment, reliability,
                                7    emissions reduction and long-term system sustainability;
                                8  (4)   consider impacts on residential, rural,
                                9    tribal and small business customers;
                                10  (5)   identify best practices from other states
                                11   addressing similar energy transition and demand growth
                                12   challenges; and
                                13  (6)   develop legislative, regulatory or
                                14   administrative recommendations.
                                15  B.   The council consists of the following members:
                                16  (1)   one representative of the energy, minerals
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                                17   and natural resources department, designated by the secretary
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                                18   of energy, minerals and natural resources;
                                19  (2)   one representative with expertise in
                                20   consumer or ratepayer advocacy, appointed by the governor;
                                21  (3)   one representative with expertise in
                                22   electric or natural gas utility operations, generation,
                                23   transmission or distribution, appointed by the governor;
                                24  (4)   one representative with expertise in
                                25   economic development or workforce impacts related to energy
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                                1    policy, appointed by the governor; and
                                2  (5)   as advisory members, one representative
                                3    from each investor-owned utility in the state.
                                4  C.   The governor shall appoint a chair and vice
                                5    chair of the council.
                                6  D.   All members of the council serve at the pleasure
                                7    of the governor.
                                8  E.   Public members of the council are entitled to
                                9    per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage
                                10   Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or
                                11   allowance.
                                12  F.   The council is administratively attached to the
                                13   public regulation commission.     The commission shall staff the
                                14   council.
                                15        SECTION 2.     APPROPRIATION.--Two million dollars
                                16   ($2,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
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                                17   public regulation commission for expenditure in fiscal year
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                                18   2027 to pay costs associated with the energy affordability and
                                19   grid reliability council.     Any unexpended balance remaining at
                                20   the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.
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