Attorney briefing outlined HB9's ban on public bodies using 287(g) agreements and on contracting to hold federal civil immigration detainees; members raised concerns about Otero County's five-year contract, bond and revenue risk, and potential loss of Tort Claims Act protections if counties act outside state law.

A Senate Finance substitute for Senate Bill 273 would provide monthly, two-year payments to affected New Mexico counties and towns to offset revenue losses tied to contracts with detention facilities after passage of House Bill 9; committee members pressed for verification and reserved action until further amendments.

County and municipal officials told the Senate Finance Committee that House Bill 9’s termination of ICE detention contracts would remove millions in local revenue and force higher prisoner-transport and service costs, urging short-term 'hold harmless' relief and a cross-agency recovery plan.