Committee advances appropriations and studies: parks, emergency care, residencies, and radio system

The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 issued recommendations on multiple appropriation and study measures:

SB 211 — Rodriguez Park (Las Vegas). Senator Campos asked the committee to appropriate $5,000,000 to continue upgrades at Las Vegas Rodriguez Park and noted the city had already used previously appropriated funds. After limited questions, the committee adopted a due‑pass recommendation; the chair announced a due‑pass vote of 7 to 0.

SB 183 — Torrance County regional urgent care/hospital feasibility study. Senator Stefanik presented an appropriation to direct the Health Care Authority to study whether a regional urgent care or emergency facility is feasible for Torrance County and the I‑40 corridor. Local officials said long ambulance transfers, ambulance wear and frequent I‑40 incidents create an access gap. Christina Campos (online) and Commissioner Kevin McCall described transport times of up to 90 minutes and urged study funding. The committee recorded a due‑pass recommendation by a vote of 9 to 1.

SB 222 — Physician residency programs. Senator Soules proposed a recurring $20 million appropriation to create residency slots in New Mexico outside the federal caps, with the goal of retaining physicians in rural and underserved areas. Supporters — including Amalia Lucero (trial lawyer), Nathan Bush (UNM government relations), and Joanna Bencomo (New Mexico Safety Over Profit) — argued the investment would grow and stabilize the physician workforce. The committee recommended the bill be sent to the finance committee by a vote of 6 to 4.

SB 254 — Statewide P25 radio system. Senator Block presented a bill to fund subscription support and continued growth of the statewide public‑safety radio network used by first responders; Secretary Manny Barradas and system director Mike Rohrabacher described 80% statewide coverage and growth from 10,000 to 17,000 users. Senator Pinto moved to increase the appropriation from $2.8 million to $6 million; the amendment passed on roll call and the committee advanced the amended bill with a due‑pass recommendation by a vote of 7 to 2.

Votes at a glance

- SB 211 (Rodriguez Park): Due pass recommendation — announced 7 to 0 (transcript SEG 136).
- SB 183 (Torrance County study): Due pass recommendation — announced 9 to 1 (transcript SEG 2148).
- SB 222 (Physician residencies): Due pass to finance recommendation — recorded 6 to 4 (transcript SEG 2561).
- SB 254 (P25 radio): Amended appropriation to $6,000,000; due pass recommendation — recorded 7 to 2 (transcript SEG 2956).

What’s next: Each due‑pass recommendation advances the bills to the next committee or to finance for further consideration; sponsors and committee members said some measures would be refined as they proceed.