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HOUSE MEMORIAL 20
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Joseph Franklin Hernandez
A MEMORIAL
RAISING AWARENESS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF CERTIFIED WATER AND
WASTEWATER OPERATORS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND URGING THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO ELEVATE CERTIFIED WATER AND WASTEWATER
OPERATORS TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND FUND A STUDY ON PROVIDING
CERTIFIED WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATORS WITH STATE HEALTH
INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
WHEREAS, certified water and wastewater operators provide
essential services in the state by helping maintain safe and
reliable sources of drinking water and treating wastewater for
release back into the environment; and
WHEREAS, drinking water contains many substances that can
be harmful to human health if not treated properly, including
germs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, lead and arsenic;
and
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WHEREAS, the treatment of wastewater is important in
maintaining the health of rivers, lakes and other bodies of
water, protecting aquatic life and for reuse for agriculture;
and
WHEREAS, clean water is critical for a community's
recreational activities and economic development; and
WHEREAS, certified water and wastewater operators conduct
operations and provide services that are essential to the
continued operation of critical infrastructure;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the house of
representatives support legislation to elevate certified water
and wastewater operators to essential workers and fund a study
to add certified water and wastewater operators to state health
insurance and retirement benefit programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the members of the house of representatives.
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