HB 303/a TANF FUNDS WORKFORCE PILOT PROGRAM

Rep Linda Serrato

Actions: [6] HLVMC/HAFC-HLVMC [9] DP-HAFC [12] DP/a [14] fl/aa- PASSED/H (41-13) [9] SHPAC-SHPAC [13] DP [15] PASSED/S (27-14) SGND BY GOV (Mar. 6) Ch. 68.

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 303 (HB 303) creates a pilot program using Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant funding to provide economic support in the form of monetary stipends to New Mexico residents participating in the pilot program; requires participants to be enrolled in certain workforce training programs; provides for participant eligibility criteria and processes to approve workforce training programs for specific industries or fields; provides definitions; and makes an appropriation. 

 New sections of the Higher Education Department Act are enacted to include:

•	definitions;
•	a newly created New Mexico Workforce Training Economic Support Pilot Program using Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant funding;
•	details on administration, eligibility, monetary stipends and rules; and
•	details on requirements for participants

One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant account to the Higher Education Department for expenditure in Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029 to develop and administer the New Mexico Workforce Training Economic Support Pilot Program and to hire one fulltime-equivalent position to administer the program. 
 

 If the bill does not pass, the pilot program and proposed resources for implementation will not be available. 

 Amended February 9, 2024 in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee

HAFCa/HB 303: The House Appropriations and Finance Committee’s amendment to House Bill 303 (HB 303) is as follows:

1. On page 1, lines 11 through 13, strike "USING FEDERAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES BLOCK GRANT FUNDING" and insert in lieu thereof "WITHIN THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT". 

2. On page 2, line 6, strike ", including an apprenticeship". 

3. On page 2, line 20, strike "five-year" and insert in lieu thereof "three-year", and after the period, insert: "The department may use money appropriated to the department to pilot and evaluate the expansion of integrated basic education and skills training programs.". 

4. On page 4, line 16, after "may", insert "receive technical assistance from the health care authority department and may". 

5. On page 5, line 10, strike "October 1, 2024" and insert in lieu thereof "April 1, 2025". 

6. On page 5, line 16, strike "and". 

7. On page 5, line 17, strike "December 1, 2024" and insert in lieu thereof "April 1, 2025". 

8. On page 5, line 18, strike the period and insert: "; and (7) by December 1, 2025 and by December 1 of each subsequent calendar year and in consultation with the health care authority department and any other appropriate state agency, provide a report to the legislative education study committee assessing the impact and outcomes of the pilot program and providing department recommendations.". 

9. On page 5, strike lines 19 through 25 and on page 6, strike lines 1 through 3. 

10. Renumber the succeeding section accordingly.


Amended February 12 on the House Floor (House Floor Amendment #1)

The first House Floor amendment to House Bill 303 (HB 303) is as follows:

1. On page 5, strike lines 5 through 9. 

2. Renumber succeeding paragraphs accordingly. 3. On page 5, line 16, after "department" insert "; provided that a monetary stipend shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month for up to twelve months".


Amended February 12 on the House Floor (House Floor Amendment #2)

The second House Floor amendment to House Bill 303 (HB 303) is as follows:

1. Strike House Appropriations and Finance Committee Amendment 8. 

2. On page 5, line 11, strike "education study" and insert in lieu thereof "finance". 

3. On page 5, line 18, strike the period and closing quotation mark and insert in lieu thereof: "; and (7) by December 1, 2025 and by December 1 of each subsequent calendar year, and in consultation with the health care authority department and any other appropriate state agency, provide a report to the legislative finance committee assessing the impact and outcomes of the pilot program and providing department recommendations."".

 

 House Bill 5 (HB 5) – Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Fund