The Gov. Signed The Regional Water System Resiliency Act. [SB-1, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/17/23]
The Gov. Signed Legislation To Provide Zero Interest Reimbursable Loans To Subdivisions Damaged By The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. [SB-6, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/17/23]
The Gov. Signed Legislation Mandating That The Commissioner Of Public Lands Establish A Renewable Energy Office. [HB-95, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D, SD-16) Introduced Legislation To Increase Enforcement Power Over Water Distribution. [SB-380, 2023 Regular Session, 2/8/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [SB-380, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/8/23]
The Gov. Signed Legislation Declaring A Water Emergency And Making Loans And Grants Available For Certain Water Projects. [HB-252, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/26/23]
Democracy
A Democratic Lawmaker Proposed Legislation To Expand Criminal Penalties For Election Intimidation. [SB-43, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
The Bill Passed In The Senate And House. [SB-43, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
Legislation Passed In The New Mexico Senate To Allow Voters Who Are Not Registered With A Political Party To Vote In Primary Elections. [SB-73, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
The Bill Was Not Passed Before The End Of The Session. [SB-73, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
A Democratic Lawmaker Introduced SB-101 To Create A Permanent Absentee Voting List. [SB-101, 2023 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
The Bill Was Not Passed Before The End Of The Session. [SB-101, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
Legislation Prohibiting Firearms At Polling Places Was Introduced By New Mexico’s Democratic Senate Majority Leader. “A Senate panel voted 6-3 along party lines, with Republicans in opposition, to advance the bill from Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe. A second committee endorsement could send the bill to a full Senate vote. […] Wirth said he heard concerns from constituents in his district about firearms at polls during the 2022 election cycle, including one person who decided to stop working at the polls because people were bringing guns with them to vote.” [AP News, 2/2/23]
SB-44 Passed In The Senate. “Passing on a 28-to-9 vote, the legislation would make it illegal to carry a firearm near a polling place. Sponsored by Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Senate Bill 44 would make it a petty misdemeanor to carry a gun within 100 feet of a polling place on Election Day or during early voting. The law would apply to both loaded and unloaded guns.” [KRQE News, 2/15/23]
SB-44 Did Not Advance Through The House Before The End Of Session. [SB-44, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
New Mexico’s Democrat-Backed ‘Voting Rights Act’ Heads To The Governor’s Desk For Signature. “A bill that seeks to update the state’s Election Code and make it easier for New Mexicans to vote passed the Senate on a 27 to 14 party line vote after a lengthy debate. HB 4, the Voting Rights Act, would expand automatic voter registration, restore convicted felons’ right to vote upon release from prison, create a voluntary permanent absentee voter list, and enact the Native American Voting Rights Act to the state Election Code.” [NM Political Report, 3/9/23]
The Bill Was Signed Into Law By Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed into law the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, continuing this administration’s efforts to strengthen voter rights and protections for every New Mexican. ‘Today, New Mexico is leading the nation by example, declaring that we believe, unequivocally, in the fundamental right of every American to choose those who represent them,’ said Gov. Lujan Grisham.” [Office of the Governor, 3/30/23]
Economy
The Gov. Signed Legislation Providing Financial Incentives To Place Broadband Infrastructure In Underserved Communities. [HB-160, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/23/23]
The Gov. Signed The “Excess Oil & Gas Funds To Severance Tax Fund” Bill Which Would Divert Excess Oil & Gas Funds To The Tax Stabilization Reserve And Early Childhood Education. [SB-26, 2023 Regular Session, 1/17/23]
Four Democratic Lawmakers Introduced SB-10 To Provide New Mexicans Income Tax Rebates. [SB-10, 2023 Regular Session, 1/25/23]
The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [SB-10, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/25/23]
Senate Democrats Introduced The Paid Family And Medical Leave Act To Provide Workers With 12 Weeks Of Paid Leave. [SB-11, 23 Regular Session, 1/30/23]
The Paid Family And Medical Leave Act Moved To The Senate Floor For A Full Vote. “A bill to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave passed the Senate Finance Committee by a 6 to 5 vote on Thursday. The committee held a larger hearing on Thursday to hear from members of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Task Force, which worked out the bill over the last year, before the committee heard the bill. […] The program would, if enacted, provide up to 12 weeks of paid time off for an employee who has a new child, is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking or has a serious medical illness or to care for a family member with a serious medical illness. The Department of Workforce Solutions would administer the program.” [NM Political Report, 2/24/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance Through The House Before The End Of Session. [SB-11, 23 Regular Session, Introduced 1/30/23]
The Gov. Signed Legislation That Will Provide $1.2 Billion For Capital Outlay Projects, Including A Reproductive Health Care Clinic. [HB-505, 2023 Regular Session, 2/16/23]
Education
The Gov. Signed Legislation To Distribute $100 Million Dollars Annually For Early Childhood Education Programs. [HB-191, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/30/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced The Universal Healthy School Meals Act To Provide Free School Breakfast And Lunch To Every Public School Student. [SB-4, 2023 Regular Session, 1/17/23]
The Bill Was Signed Into Law By The Governor on March 27, 2023. [SB-4, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/17/23]
Legislation Backed By Democrats Would Double The Minimum Salary For Teacher Assistants From 12K To 25K Dollars A Year. “New Mexico is still fighting a teacher shortage, and state lawmakers are working to combat it. […] The other is House Bill 127, which would double the minimum salary for educational assistants in our state from 12 to 25 thousand dollars a year. During last year’s legislative session, minimum licensed teacher salaries were increased by 10 thousand dollars. Ellen Bernstein is the president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation. She believes changes like that are the key to recruiting new teachers, retaining those in the industry, and reclaiming the ones who have left.” [KOAT ABC7, 2/5/23]
The New Mexico House Passed Legislation To Increase Assistant Teacher Pay. “The legislation, House Bill 127, would require at least a $25,000 annual salary for licensed educational assistants, up from just $12,000. Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, said the raise would be a step toward properly compensating important staff who face low hourly wages.” [ABQ Journal, 2/23/23]
The Bill Became Law Without The Governor’s Signature On March 18, 2023. [HB-127, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
Gun Safety
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced HB-101 To Prohibit The Possession Of Large-Capacity Magazines And Assault Weapons. [HB-101, 2023 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-101, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced HB-50 To Prohibit Possession Of Large Capacity Gun Magazines. [HB-50, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-50, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
Two Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation In The House To Require A 14-Day Waiting Period For Firearm Sales. [HB-100, 2023 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-100, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
House Democrats Passed A Law That Would Hold Parents Liable For Minors Negligently Gaining Access To Firearms. [KRQE News 13, 2/20/23]
HB-9 Was Signed By The Governor On March 9, 2023. [HB-9, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-164, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/24/23]
A Republican Lawmaker Proposed Legislation To Allow Concealed Carry In Restaurants And Bars. [HB-114, 2023 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-114, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
Health Care
A Democratic Lawmaker Introduced Legislation That Would Expand Access To Health Care In Rural Communities. “A bill that provides grant funding to expand healthcare services in rural communities passed the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday on an 8-to-1 vote. SB 7, Rural Healthcare Delivery Fund, is sponsored by state Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics, D-Los Cerrillos. Stefanics said bill is to enable rural healthcare providers the ability to expand new services as a way to try to improve health care deserts in rural communities. The New Mexico Department of Human Services would administer the program and provide grants to healthcare facilities that want to expand care but cannot due to the costs associated with doing so.” [New Mexico Political Report, 3/1/23]
The Bill Passed In The House And Senate. [SB-7, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [HB-25, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
A Democratic Lawmaker Introduced A Bill To Increase The Minimum Wage And Provide For Recurring Cost Of Living Increases. [HB-28, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [HB-28, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
Legislation Was Introduced By Democrats To Provide $5,000 Bonus Incentives For Recruiting Firefighters. [HB 345, 2023 Regular Session, 2/7/23]
The Bill Passed In The House And Senate. [HB 345, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/7/23]
LGBTQ+ Rights
Name Change Legislation Introduced By Democratic Lawmakers Would Benefit The Trans Community. “Sponsored by House Rep. Christine Chandler, a Democrat from Albuquerque, HB 31 will, if enacted, eliminate from statute the requirement to place a public notice for 14 days in the local newspaper when a person seeks to change their name. The Legislature put the requirement into law decades ago and it was intended to prevent individuals from evading creditors. The law is now antiquated and it puts transgender individuals and survivors of domestic violence, assault and stalking in danger, advocates of the bill have said.” [NM Political Report, 2/4/23; HB-31, 2023 Regular Session 1/18/23]
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed The Name Change Modernization Act Into law. “Officials with the office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Friday that she signed House Bill 31 the ‘Name Change Modernization Act’, and House Bill 207 the ‘Human Rights Act Expansion.’ […] This legislation aims to remove previous requirements, allowing a judge to grant the name change immediately rather than waiting for this ad to be placed along with receiving records from the local newspaper as proof. “Trans New Mexicans already face significant burdens in safety and financial hardship. Because of this new law, one of those is removed. It was dangerous to us to be “outed” in our communities in newspapers, and the cost in some communities was significant enough that many in our community couldn’t finish the name change process. ” [myhighplains.com, 3/24/23]
Democratic Lawmakers Introduced The Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act. [HB-7, 2023 Regular Session, 1/25/23]
The Legislation Was Signed By The Governor On March 16, 2023. [HB-7, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/25/23]
House Democrats Passed Legislation To Expand The Scope Of The State’s Human Rights Act To Include Protections For The LGBTQ+ Community. “A bill to expand the scope of the New Mexico Human Rights Act to include protections for the LGBTQ community passed the House by 47-to-20. HB 207, Expand the Human Rights Act Scope, is sponsored by state Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos. It updates language in the state Human Rights Act to better reflect current language for the LGBTQ community and for the disabled community. The words ‘handicap’ would be replaced with ‘disability’ and the bill includes words ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity.’ It would also define the words ‘sex’ and ‘gender.’” [New Mexico Political Report, 3/4/23]
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed Legislation Into Law That Will Expand Protections Against Discrimination For The LGBTQ+ Community. “Officials with the office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Friday that she signed House Bill 31 the ‘Name Change Modernization Act’, and House Bill 207 the ‘Human Rights Act Expansion.’ […] According to the release, House Bill 207 aims to create more protections for LGBTQ New Mexicans by expanding definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity and creating definitions of gender and sex.” [myhighplains.com, 3/24/23]
A Group Of Lawmakers, Led By Rep. Shaun Filiault (D), Introduced Legislation To Ban The“Gay Panic” Defense. “The so-called ‘gay panic’ defense is one step closer to being on its way out of New Hampshire after a House and Senate committee came up with a compromise on the bill. Lawmakers voted to make some changes to the language after concerns were raised last week about unintended consequences.” [WMUR, 6/22/23]
Reproductive Rights
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed A Law That Overrides Local Ordinances Aimed At Limiting Access To Abortion. “New Mexico’s governor signed an abortion-rights bill Thursday that overrides local ordinances aimed at limiting access to abortion procedures and medications. […] New Mexico has one of the country’s most liberal abortion access laws, but two counties and three cities in eastern New Mexico have recently adopted abortion restrictions that reflect deep-seated opposition to offering the procedure. The bill signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham overrides those local ordinances.” [Associated Press, 3/16/23]
Rep. John Block (R, HD-51) Introduced HB-258 Which Would Make It A Criminal Offense For Health Care Providers To Perform Abortions. [HB-258, 2023 Regular Session, 1/31/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance Through The House Or Senate. [HB-258, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/31/23]
Republican Lawmakers Sponsored Legislation To Require State Licensing, Inspection, And Regulation Of Abortion Clinics. [HB-513, 2023 Regular Session, 2/15/23]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB-513, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/15/23]
Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation That Would Create Civil And Criminal Penalties When Abortions Result In Born Alive Infants And Health Care Providers Fail To Comply With Certain Requirements For Care. [HB 441, 2023 Regular Session, 2/15/2023]
The Bill Did Not Advance. [HB 441, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/15/2023]
The House Passed The Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act. “A bill that would prohibit discrimination in reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming healthcare passed the House by a 38 to 31 vote on Tuesday evening. HB 7, Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Healthcare, will, if enacted, prohibit municipalities and counties from passing ordinances that directly or indirectly discriminate against either reproductive and gender-affirming care. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Linda Serrato, D-Santa Fe.” [NM Political Report, 2/22/23]
The Legislation Was Signed By The Governor On March 16, 2023. [HB-7, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/25/23]
A Bill To Protect Abortion And Gender-Affirming Care Providers From Out-Of-State Forces Was Introduced In The New Mexico Senate. [SB-13, 2023 Regular Session, 2/14/23]
The Bill Passed In The House And Senate. [SB-13, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/14/23]
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signed A Bill That Protects Abortion Providers From Related Prosecution, Professional Disciplinary Action, Or Extradition Attempts By Out-Of-State Interests. [Associated Press, 4/5/23]
