Summary:

 House Bill 459 (HB 459) appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Higher Education Department for a program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. The funding supports research, education, and outreach related to pollinators, with the goal of promoting healthy habitats and conservation efforts. No more than $150 thousand of the appropriation may be used for indirect costs associated with administering the program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2028 will revert to the General Fund.
 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 459 (HB 459) makes a $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund to the Higher Education Department to fund a program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. The program will focus on research, education, and outreach related to pollinators, promoting conservation efforts and the maintenance of healthy habitats. The initiative aligns with recommendations from the report prepared pursuant to House Memorial 33 of the Second Session of the Fifty-Sixth Legislature. The bill specifies that no more than $150 thousand of the appropriated funds may be allocated toward indirect costs required to administer the program. Any funds remaining unspent or unencumbered at the conclusion of Fiscal Year 2028 will revert to the General Fund.

Implications

The appropriation in HB 459 provides financial support for research and education on pollinator conservation at the Institute of American Indian Arts. This funding could enhance scientific study and public awareness of pollinators’ role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. However, since the appropriation is one-time funding and does not establish an ongoing revenue stream, the program’s sustainability beyond Fiscal Year 2028 may depend on securing additional funding sources. The $150 thousand cap on indirect costs ensures that a majority of the funds will be directed toward direct program activities rather than administrative overhead. The reversion of unspent funds to the General Fund ensures that any unused resources do not remain allocated indefinitely. 

Current Law:

 Under current law, the Institute of American Indian Arts operates as a federally chartered institution of higher education with programs in Indigenous arts and cultural preservation. While various state agencies and institutions conduct conservation-related research, there is no existing dedicated state funding stream supporting pollinator research and outreach at the Institute of American Indian Arts. House Memorial 33 from the Second Session of the Fifty-Sixth Legislature provided recommendations regarding pollinator conservation, but no prior funding had been allocated specifically for this purpose.