GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS BILL IS A BRIDGE TOO FAR
– YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
Sitting before the Senate Finance Committee is Senate Bill 4, Sets Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limits, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart. The measure would require statewide reductions, based on 2005 emission levels, to be set at:
- By 2030, a 45% reduction
- By 2040, a 75% reduction
- By 2050, a 100% reduction
The scale and scope of the bill would affect all buildings, structures, modes of transportation, home heating fuels, virtually every nook and cranny of our economy. We are very concerned with the unintended consequences to our jobs base and overall economy with such an aggressive mandate. In particular, we believe the oil and gas industry will be negatively affected and the message to businesses wanting to come here and businesses trying to grow here will be negative – just the opposite of what all of us want and need. We need for you to email or call members of the Senate Finance Committee expressing your opposition. This link will take you to the list of committee members. It’s easy to click on their name, then their email to send them a message.
When fully implemented, this bill could well mean all electric homes, all electric vehicles, all electric manufacturing and more. How will heavy-duty trucking be accomplished, especially over long distances? Same with our cars. Consumers are voting with their feet with unsold EVs stacking up on dealer lots. Many manufacturing processes require natural gas to heat boilers and fuel other processes. It’s simply a bridge too far that could topple our economy.
This bill needs a realistic plan for implementation, which is difficult to achieve when the definitions lack clarity. We have many questions. How will all the new rules that will be issued be enforced? How many more staffers in the Environment Department and elsewhere have to be hired? The bill will affect virtually every sector of our economy: electric generation, transportation, home heating fuels, buildings, all forms of waste, manufacturing and extraction of raw materials, agricultural and forest products and, of course, oil and gas. We believe this transition is too aggressive and lacks a necessary balanced strategy.
New Mexico has and is making significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in no small part by voluntary actions of businesses across the state. Locking rigid rules, poorly defined, into our statutes is another matter. Goals and rules have to be well-defined and achievable. They also have to balance all the needs of our citizens, not just the environmental side of the equation. We very much hope the Senate Finance Committee will assess the likely economic and state revenue damage that will occur if SB 4 becomes law. We’ll keep you posted.
UPDATING COMPETENCY STATUTES
– A MUCH NEEDED BUT A HEAVY LIFT
Statutes governing competency evaluations for those accused of crimes haven’t been updated since 1978. House Bill 4, sponsored by Reps. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe), Marianna Anaya (D-Bernalillo) and Andrea Reeb (R-Chaves, Curry & Roosevelt), seeks to remedy several problems. Developing this measure has been a heavy lift.
Terri Cole, President and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, testified in strong support of the bill:
“This bill brings much-needed reform to the criminal competency statutes, something long in need of attention. At the core of the bill is significantly expanding the number of crimes to be considered for competency evaluation. That, coupled with improved evaluations by competent professionals, works to do two things: Protect the public from the most dangerous criminals and channel those people into the best mental health treatment for them. This creates a win-win situation.
“We’re all familiar with the revolving door, and HB 4 is aimed exactly at turning that scenario around, which too often results in the accused being released back into the community only to be re-arrested on some other crime. District Attorney Sam Bregman has shared examples of a person who’s committed 25 felonies; 16 cases were dismissed because the person was found incompetent and is back in custody for another crime. Similarly, another defendant has been charged with 30 offenses and at least 20 have been dismissed for incompetence. We need to slam the revolving door shut. We urge you to vote yes on HB 4. We believe it is a very needed and positive step forward.”
The current system either results in defendants languishing in jail pending a competency hearing or having their cases dismissed, releasing them back into the community where some repeat various offenses. The chief of police of Las Cruces reports that in his city, the top five repeat offenders have had 1,247 charges dismissed. As Cole said, that revolving doors need to be slammed shut.
HB 4 also includes more serious crimes subject to dangerousness evaluations that could lead up to involuntary commitment, giving an additional tool to protect the public and force a defendant to receive treatment in the cases when they refuse to do so voluntarily. As Reeb said, there are two main goals: address those perpetrators that are dangerous and are charged with serious crimes and also expand pathways for treatment. HB 4 can only work, however, if other legislation funds and directs the restoration of the behavioral health system so that adequate resources are available. SB 1, 2 and 3 are aimed at doing that through creation of a behavioral health trust fund, making appropriations to jump-start service delivery and establish measurements of results and accountability.
HB 4 was held in committee because it will be the vehicle for constructing an omnibus crime package, which may be presented on Wednesday. We’ll keep you posted – this legislation matters.
HOUSE COMMITTEE GREEN LIGHTS HB 16,
CRACKING DOWN ON FENTANYL DEALERS
This morning, the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs committee advanced House Bill 16, sponsored by Rep. Charlotte Little (D-Bernalillo), on a vote of 6-3. The bill goes after fentanyl traffickers by giving judges and juries the ability to enhance existing penalties.
Terri Cole, President and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, stood in support of the measure:
“I come before you today to support HB 16. It’s no secret that fentanyl is a major threat to the lives of New Mexicans. The good news is that, according to the New Mexico Department of Health’s recent report, overdose deaths have declined slightly from the peak of 1,029 in 2021 to 948 in 2023, the latest data available.
“That’s still almost 1,000 people. Mexican cartels are importing and peddling this dangerous drug nationwide. It often comes in the form of fake pills, laced with other dangerous drugs. We must do everything we can to stop the drug trade and punish those that are literally purveying death. HB 16 establishes enhanced penalties for those trafficking, not consuming, large quantities of fentanyl – from three to five years depending on the amount after findings of fact by a jury or a judge. This bill is targeted at those pushing, not the victims. That’s exactly the right approach. We urge a ‘yes’ vote on HB 16.”
Rep. Cynthia Borrego (D-Bernalillo) commented on news from Las Cruces today that a customer of a fast-food establishment had their drink spiked with fentanyl and ended up in the hospital. This is just how pervasive this drug is. Very unfortunately, it’s cheap to make and cheap to acquire, despite its devastating effects. The bill now moves on to the House Judiciary Committee.
JUVENILE RECORDS BILL ENDS IN A TIE
The House Judiciary Committee voted 5-5 on House Bill 39, Juvenile Record in Firearm Background Checks, essentially stopping the bill, at least for now
HB 39, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Bernalillo and Sandoval), sought to allow a small portion of juvenile records to be accessed to determine eligibility to purchase a firearm as an adult. The only portion of information to be disclosed is whether there was a firearm used in the juvenile offense. If so, then that individual wouldn’t be able to purchase a gun for 10 years from the date they were sentenced.
Enrique C. Knell testified for the Chamber and supported the bill as a targeted action that can help keep guns out of the hands of people with a record of violence involving guns. Knell told members of the Committee:
“While New Mexico generally seals juvenile records, perhaps to help people get a fresh start when they’ve grown up some, there need to be exceptions when the threat to our communities is so great from guns used by people with a violent past. In other words, the greater good demands that we take this kind of action.”
All Republicans on the panel were joined by Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) in voting the bill down.
SENATE EDUCATION PASSES TEACHING READING BILL – UNANIMOUSLY
This morning the Senate Education Committee took up Senate Bill 242, Advancing the Science of Reading Act, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo). The Chamber was there in strong support of the bill, which passed 7-0 and is headed to the Senate Finance Committee.
D’Val Westphal, executive vice president of policy and programs for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, told the committee:
“I’m so happy to testify in favor of a smart idea coming straight from a career educator.
“SB 242 tackles a big proficiency problem New Mexico schools face: reading. It requires all current teachers seeking licensure renewal to complete coursework on the science of reading and establishes additional requirements for new teacher candidates. Its foundation is the LETRS program that was part of the Mississippi Miracle school turnaround, and which is part of training our PED has been scaling up.
“The bill’s FIR lays out the studies that support this approach, and after Mississippi adopted it, their fourth-graders made the largest score gains in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (the NAEP), and 64 percent of students performed at or above the basic level of proficiency – beating the national average of 61 percent.
“Once again, this is a bill that gives our teachers the training and tools they need – in this case, to give the gift of literacy to every student in their classrooms.
“We urge you to give it a do-pass. Thank you.”
Joining the Chamber in support of SB 242:
- The University of New Mexico College of Education
- The senior director of teacher education at San Juan College
- New Mexico Kids Can
- The May Center in Santa Fe, a pre-school through eight-grade school specializing in those with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and language processing disorder
- A New Mexico college graduate teacher who learned the science of reading at the May Center
- Think New Mexico
- Parents of, and students with, dyslexia who said structured literacy made the difference for them.
Stewart, who was acknowledged by the committee for her years of work on this issue, emphasized that her bill puts in statute what is already a directive to the state’s colleges of education. She also shared that Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who frequently has shared he is dyslexic, told her he was diagnosed in second grade, but his parents did not tell him, and he didn’t know why he had trouble reading until he was in his 20s. “Twenty years ago, we did not want to say the word ‘dyslexia,’” Stewart said. “We still don’t want to talk about it. Structured literacy is the answer.”
She added that the science shows the method works with all students, be they dyslexic, English-language learners, children from poverty – and that it supports the requirements from the Yazzie-Martinez ruling.
The bill was amended with cleanup language as the hearing started.
SB 242 is a win for our teachers and for our students. We’ll be in Senate Finance to let you know how it fares.
VETS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF HEADS TO FLOOR
This morning, the House and Taxation and Revenue Committee heard House Bill 47, Property Tax: Veteran Exemption Changes, sponsored by Rep. Art de la Cruz (D-Bernalillo) and Rep. Alan Martinez (R-Sandoval), and voted unanimously to pass it.
The bill enacts two veteran property tax exemption changes that New Mexicans voted on as constitutional amendments in the November 2024 general election. The first change is increasing the property tax exemption from $4,000 to $10,000. The second change expands the disabled veteran property tax exemption to include a proportionate exemption reflecting a veteran’s partial disability. The current exemption only provides the exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
Tax was its final House committee, which means the bill now heads to the House floor for debate and a final vote in that body before moving over to the Senate.
J.D. Bullington testified for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in support of HB 47 by saying,
“New Mexico is home to 141,000 veterans who are proud of their service and defense of this country. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber is proud of them, too, and it wants to make New Mexico more attractive for veterans to serve here and stay in our great state.
“House Bill 47 is a good investment in New Mexico’s economy. And for the many veterans who are business owners, consumers and contributors to our state success, we applaud the sponsors for bringing it forward. Thank you.”
IN THE HOUSE
American Indian Day
American Indian Day is a time-honored tradition complete with native customs and presentations by leaders of Indian tribes, pueblos and nations. All the presenters were thankful to the Legislature for the support given and stressed the need for ongoing collaboration and cooperation. Rep. D. Wonda Johnson (D-McKinley & San Juan) presided over the festivities. One interesting fact is that the All Indian Pueblo Council of Governors was started in — wait for it — 1598! Many distinguished people from among the 23 nations, tribes and pueblos were introduced. And lest we forget, we should remember and honor the Navajo code talkers that played such a critical role during WWII. Among those introduced and honored are students pictured below.
AROUND THE ROUNDHOUSE
Support Tourism
Tourism is important to us as business people and as citizens of New Mexico. It brings in huge revenue to our businesses and our states. Our friends at the New Mexico Hospitality Association are urging contact with the Legislature’s two finance committees to support the Tourism Department’s budget. That’s a great idea.
A key component of our NMHA Legislative Agenda is a strong, fully funded Tourism Department that can continue to grow and support the industry. The Tourism Department budget is scheduled to be reviewed next week in House Appropriations on Monday and Senate Finance on Tuesday.
We’ve made it easy for you to show your support and let legislators know this is important to you and your business – just click on the link below, fill out the simple form, hit send, and your message will automatically go to key committee members. You also have the option to customize the message if you’d like to add personal comments or information. You are welcome to share this email and the link with others. Thank you for adding your voice to our message!
Support the NMTD FY 2026 Budget
SIGNING OFF FROM SANTA FE
Today was a good day for crime fighting. Several important bills moved forward, and we’re soon to see what’s in the omnibus crime package. Feels like progress; we’ll see. Thanks for being with us today, and we’ll be back tomorrow to cover several committee hearings, bringing you all the news and views. Have a Super Weekend and enjoy the game!
