This will cover all news releases concerning the 2023 NM Legislative Session

Retail Crime Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk

Legislation supports local business and enhances public safety by targeting retail crime

Santa Fe, NM - A key community safety bill addressing retail crime is now headed to the Governor’s desk, after the House of Representatives voted tonight to concur with amendments made in the Senate. 

House Bill 234 will stiffen penalties for those participating in or enabling organized retail theft, cutting down on the demand for stolen goods and help law enforcement take down organized theft rings. To help protect the safety of retail workers and shoppers, the bill also elevates shoplifting to a third-degree felony if the individual assaults or strikes at another person with a deadly weapon while shoplifting or trying to avoid apprehension. 

“Organized retail crime is becoming an increasingly serious and dangerous threat to our local businesses and the safety of our communities,” said House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). “This bill will protect our businesses, as well as the workers and everyday New Mexicans who might be injured as bystanders of retail crime.” 

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Senate Republicans Issue Statement Following Conclusion of Legislative Session

Republicans celebrate several major victories 

SANTA FE — The 2023 Legislative Session adjourned sine die at noon Saturday. Despite holding just 15 seats in the 42-member chamber, the Senate Republican Caucus achieved major victories this Session.

“Senate Republicans held the line and showed our state a positive vision for the future,” said Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen). “Over the past 60 days, we maintained an undivided focus on delivering good governance, strong families, and safe communities for the people of New Mexico.”

This session, Senate Republicans:

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Sine Die: House Democrats Deliver for New Mexico Families in 2023 Legislative Session

Impactful legislation passed will make communities safer, protect voting and reproductive rights, uplift children and working families, and invest historic revenue in state’s future

Santa Fe, NM - The first session of New Mexico’s 56th Legislature came to a close at noon today, concluding a productive 60-day session in which House Democrats achieved crucial policy wins for New Mexicans and the state. 

House Democrats passed legislation to address New Mexico’s most pressing needs like improving the safety of communities and children across New Mexico and protecting fundamental freedoms. The historic state budget puts our record revenues to work for New Mexicans today and invests in a sustainable future, while a robust tax reform package will ease the tax burden for families and businesses. 

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Bipartisan House Tax Package Heads to Governor

HB 547 would lower taxes, deliver rebates for all New Mexicans, provide relief for working families, and support climate goals

Santa Fe, NM- After conference committee meetings, the House of Representatives and the Senate have now both agreed on amendments to House Bill 547. This marks the legislation’s final step in the legislature, sending it to the Governor’s desk. 

Once signed into law by the Governor, HB 547 will provide relief for working families and ease the tax burden on all New Mexicans. It also increases support for drug and alcohol treatment services, advances climate goals, and increases incentives for New Mexico’s film industry to create local jobs and strengthen our economy. 

“This tax package reflects New Mexican values with measures to help working families make ends meet, help local businesses, and support teachers, healthcare workers, and veterans,” said bill sponsor Representative Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo) who chairs the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.

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Senate Republicans Issue Statement Following Conclusion of Legislative Session

Republicans celebrate several major victories 

SANTA FE — The 2023 Legislative Session adjourned sine die at noon Saturday. Despite holding just 15 seats in the 42-member chamber, the Senate Republican Caucus achieved major victories this Session.

“Senate Republicans held the line and showed our state a positive vision for the future,” said Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen). “Over the past 60 days, we maintained an undivided focus on delivering good governance, strong families, and safe communities for the people of New Mexico.”

This session, Senate Republicans:

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New Mexico House and Senate pass critical Forestry Bills 

Legislation better equips the State Forestry Division to battle climate change and wildfires 

Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Legislature has passed two bills that enhance the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) Forestry Division’s efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and wildfires on forest lands. 

The two bills, HB 195 and SB 206, clear the way for the state Forestry Division to implement modern conservation techniques and practices that will increase natural landscape adaptation within New Mexico’s most vulnerable forests and watersheds.  

House Bill 195, sponsored by Representatives Matthew McQueen and Greg Nibert and Senator Pat Woods, updates the Forest Conservation Act of 1939, which designated the State Forestry Division as the lead agency for wildfire suppression and forest management on 43 million acres of state and private lands. This act was last updated 35 years ago.  

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Reproductive & Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act Headed to Governor

Codifies Governor’s executive order protecting the privacy of providers & patients

Santa Fe, NM- Today, the House passed Senate Bill 13, which would protect confidential health care information related to reproductive and gender-affirming health care, by a vote of 38-30.  

The bill would codify Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order from 2022 to protect providers of reproductive care or gender-affirming care from civil or criminal liability in other states and discrimination from the licensing boards of their specialties. It would also protect patients seeking abortion care and gender-affirming health care from prosecution by other states. Additionally, it would protect the privacy of patients and providers from out-of-state individuals seeking their personal information. 

“In New Mexico we know reproductive and gender affirming healthcare is essential. Inside the borders of our home state, we are safe from out of state threats when we are seeking life saving care,” said Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe).

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Governor signs bill to bolster state’s financial stability

Senate Bill 26 redirects excess oil and gas revenue to protect against volatility

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed Senate Bill 26, reinvesting some of the state’s oil and gas windfall in the Severance Tax Permanent Fund and lessening any impacts to the general fund from future volatility in the industry.

“This is yet another huge investment in New Mexico’s future,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “By responsibly reinvesting the record revenues we are seeing now, we ensure that future budgets are less dependent on the current state of the oil and gas industry."

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Gonzales, passed unanimously from both the House and Senate. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2025, SB 26 will automatically set aside excess oil and gas revenues and send them to the Severance Tax Permanent Fund.

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