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-HOUSE BILL 124
-57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026
-INTRODUCED BY
-Cristina Parajón and Cindy Nava and Reena Szczepanski
-and Raymundo Lara and Yanira Gurrola
-AN ACT
-RELATING TO WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS; CREATING THE NEW AMERICANS
-DIVISION IN THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING
-DIVISION DUTIES; REQUIRING REPORTS; REQUIRING A STUDY AND
-REPORT ON THE WORK, ECONOMIC IMPACT AND STRUCTURE OF REFUGEE
-RESETTLEMENT IN NEW MEXICO.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
-SECTION 1.  Section 9-26-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007,
-Chapter 200, Section 3) is amended to read:
-"9-26-3.  DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Workforce Solutions
-Department Act:
-A.  "department" means the workforce solutions
-department;
-B.  "new Americans" means people residing in the
-United States who are not citizens of the United States or who
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-were not citizens of the United States at birth; and
-[B.] C.  "secretary" means the secretary of
-workforce solutions."
-SECTION 2.  Section 9-26-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007,
-Chapter 200, Section 4) is amended to read:
-"9-26-4.  WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT CREATED.--The
-"workforce solutions department" is created in the executive
-branch pursuant to the Executive Reorganization Act.  The
-department is a cabinet department that includes:
-A.  the office of the secretary;
-B.  the administrative services division;
-C.  the [business services] unemployment insurance
-division;
-D.  the labor relations division;
-E.  the workforce technology division; [and]
-F.  the workforce transition services division; and
-G.  the new Americans division."
-SECTION 3.  A new section of the Workforce Solutions
-Department Act is enacted to read:
-"[NEW MATERIAL] NEW AMERICANS DIVISION--PURPOSE--DUTIES.--
-A.  The purpose of the new Americans division of the
-department is to support new Americans residing in New Mexico
-in achieving their maximum economic potential in New Mexico's
-workforce and as entrepreneurs.  In furtherance of this
-purpose, the division shall:
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-(1)  support and expand educational, workforce
-training and other initiatives that improve the integration of
-new Americans into the state's economy;
-(2)  identify strategies for improving
-licensure pathways for new Americans who have been
-professionally trained or licensed in another country;
-(3)  assist businesses that employ new
-Americans by identifying, attracting and retaining top global
-talent required to remain competitive in a global economy;
-(4)  identify and support pathways for new
-Americans to advance priority sectors identified in the state's
-workforce development and economic development plans; and
-(5)  serve as an information center by
-providing resources and engagement opportunities to businesses,
-community-based organizations, workers, community members,
-state agencies and local governments on policies and
-legislation affecting new Americans, including supporting
-eligible lawful permanent residents in becoming naturalized
-United States citizens.
-B.  The new Americans division shall, as deemed
-necessary and appropriate by the department, work with other
-divisions within the department, the economic development
-department, the higher education department, the public
-education department, the department of health, the health care
-authority, the homeland security and emergency management
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-department, the department of public safety or the regulation
-and licensing department to fulfill the duties of the new
-Americans division.
-C.  By August 1, 2027, and by July 1 of each year
-thereafter, the new Americans division shall provide a report
-to an interim committee that studies economic and rural
-development and policy, the secretary, the governor and members
-of the legislature on the activities of the division in the
-preceding twelve months, including an analysis of the economic
-impact, status, population and workforce numbers of new
-Americans in the state."
-SECTION 4.  TEMPORARY PROVISION--STATE REFUGEE
-RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM--STUDY--REPORT.--
-A.  The new Americans division of the workforce
-solutions department shall study, evaluate and prepare a report
-on the work, economic impact and structure of refugee
-resettlement in New Mexico.  As deemed necessary and
-appropriate, the division director shall consult with
-stakeholders, including representatives of the health care
-authority, the economic development department and community-
-based organizations.
-B.  The division shall report its findings to the
-interim committee that studies economic and rural development
-and policy by December 1, 2026.
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+FIFTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE
+SECOND SESSION, 2026
+February 16, 2026
+Mr. President:
+Your FINANCE COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred
+     HOUSE BILL 124
+has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation
+that it DO PASS.
+Respectfully submitted,
+___________________________________
+Senator George Muñoz, Chair
+Adopted_______________________ Not Adopted_______________________
+          (Chief Clerk)                          (Chief Clerk)
+                  Date ________________________
+The roll call vote was  6  For  4  Against
+Yes: Gonzales, Muñoz, Padilla, Shendo, Steinborn, Trujillo
+No: Brandt, Lanier, Tobiassen, Woods
+Excused: Campos
+Absent: None
+HB0124FC1.wpd