Governor Signs House Bill 1 Legislation Provides $100 Million for Fire and Flood Recovery
On July 30, 2024, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1, which allocates $100 million to aid recovery efforts following the devastating South Fork and Salt fires and subsequent flooding. The legislation's approval brings much-needed relief to affected communities, despite previous legislative challenges.
"The legislature's failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing," stated Gov. Lujan Grisham. "However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding."
Funding Allocation
The $100 million in funding will be distributed as follows:
$10 million for the Mescalero Apache Tribal government to address damages or losses.
$10 million for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to manage fire, flooding, and debris flow damages, as well as mitigation efforts in the impacted areas.
$10 million for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assist residents with applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance and submitting insurance claims.
$70 million for zero-interest reimbursable loans to local governments to initiate public infrastructure projects approved for federal public assistance.
Line-Item Vetoes
In her signing, the Governor utilized her line-item veto authority to remove specific provisions:
On page 4, line 1, from the second instance of the word "the" through the end of the line, and on line 2, the words "division of."
On page 4, line 9, the words "division shall require a," and on page 4, line 11, the first instance of the word "that."
These vetoes eliminate the state Board of Finance's role in administering the $70 million loan program, transferring this responsibility to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, which has successfully managed similar programs and is better positioned to handle this large-scale loan program efficiently.
Assistance for Affected Individuals
Residents of Lincoln County––including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Otero County, San Juan County, and Rio Arriba County––impacted by the South Fork and Salt fires or flooding can apply for assistance from FEMA in the following ways:
Disaster Resource and Recovery Centers:
Angus Church of the Nazarene, 103 Bonita Park Rd., Angus, N.M.
Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, N.M.
Mescalero Apache School, 249 White Mountain Dr., Mescalero, N.M.
San Juan County Fire and Rescue, Aztec Fire Station, 209 S. Oliver, Aztec, N.M.
Senior Citizens Center, 214 County Road 142, Medanales, N.M.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Online: Apply at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Phone: Call the FEMA application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Calls are accepted daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain time. Assistance is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone, or other service, provide FEMA with the number for that service.
This significant financial support marks a crucial step in the recovery journey for many New Mexico residents, paving the way for rebuilding and restoring affected communities.
