TRIBAL LIAISON PROGRAM

SB 225 appropriates $33 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 to establish tribal liaison programs in participating county clerk offices across New Mexico. The bill directly affects counties that choose to join the program and their Native American residents by requiring these offices to provide nonpartisan voter education, translation services, and voter registration drives. Key provisions include mandatory funding allocation for these specific services to ensure equal access to the electoral process, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by the end of 2027. The program aims to improve electoral participation for Native American communities through localized, county-level support.