Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a lifelong New Mexican, deeply rooted in Questa and Taos County, and a rancher, farmer, and president
• of one of the largest acequias in Questa.
• There is no petition that has been submitted to the WQCC so far from Questa or Taos County.

Bills: HM45, HB276, HB300

Keywords: Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Last in 2024 we graduated 19 students from Questa.
• Of the 19, only 9 left, 10 stayed in Questa, so we need to find.
• We are asking As the village of Questa for $50 million.
• We want Questa to, we were an energy community.
• So Questa, I think like 5 or 6 miles.

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• I'm the director of the Questa Economic Development Fund.
• Questa is a rural community in a housing crisis. We support House Bill 77.
• Questa is a rural community in a housing crisis. We support House Bill 77.
• In a recent housing survey we did of Questa residents, 32% live below 200% of the federal poverty level
• When the Questa mine closed, the resulting economic instability resulted in too many properties that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm aware that in Questa, we've got some interesting projects with the rural co-op.
• I've heard that it is for Questa, but I'm very worried that it may not be for Questa or exclusively for
• Questa.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• In Questa, when the Moly mine closed, all the miners came to the library to access their unemployment
• In Questa, when the Mali mine closed, all the miners came to the library to access their unemployment
• The Questa Public Library has a Business Bridge program, which provides free classes and trainings to
• The Questa Public Library has a business bridge program which provides free classes and trainings to

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't see from here, but I believe I have my group of the FFA group from the Questa Independent Schools
• FFA group from Questa Independent Schools. If they're here, if they can raise their hand.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we have like a lot of great programs with Questa College, for instance, Also, we have, like, a
• lot of great programs with Questa College, for instance, Coalinga College, Napa Valley College for psychiatric

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• like my colleague here, want to talk about the Water Alliance, Project Jupiter, what's happening in Questa
• Do the people of Northern New Mexico and Questa and Taos County not deserve to be in the conversation
• opened up again: a petitioner came in, you know, maybe it's the water lines, maybe it's someone from Questa

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Questa Library has used the appropriation to stucco their windows.

Bills: SB61, SB62, SB99

Keywords: rural libraries, funding, cultural affairs, education, community support, appropriation, state investment, public resources, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, reverse with the Mollicor, with the settlement with Chevron Mining over the Questa Molycorp

Keywords: 996, all

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• Other ones have also been Socorro, Carrizozo, Santa Rosa, Questa, Silver City.

Keywords: 996, all

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• had one school board member that actually instituted a time clock for the teachers at the school in Questa

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kit Carson has just announced that Questa is at the forefront of energy innovation, building a green

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, and, and I'll just give you for an example on one, like the Questa District owns a lot of property

Transcript Highlights:

• And also in my district, Questa girls in their division took first place.