State Rep. John Block:
I want to update you on another consequential week at the Roundhouse—one that underscored just how aggressively far-left lawmakers are pushing to permanently alter New Mexico's governing structure, weaken public safety, and ram through extreme policies with minimal accountability.
Threat to New Mexico's Legislative Structure
On Monday in the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee (HGEIC), we heard House Joint Resolutions 6 and 7—two dangerous constitutional amendments that would annihilate New Mexico's long-standing legislative framework.
Together, these proposals would eliminate our current 60-day and 30-day session structure and replace it with two 45-day sessions every single year, while also removing all subject-matter limits on what bills can be introduced during short sessions. This would radically expand legislative power, overwhelm citizen lawmakers, and drastically reduce transparency and public input.
These changes are not theoretical. Legislative analysts warn that sessions without subject limits historically see nearly double the number of bills introduced—burying committees, staff, and the public under an unmanageable workload. Even worse, the amendments would make it easier to revive failed or vetoed legislation long after voters thought an issue was settled.
Despite these concerns, both HJR 6 and HJR 7 passed HGEIC, then passed the House Judiciary Committee later in the week, and now head to the House floor. If approved by voters, these changes would be permanently locked into the state constitution and extremely difficult to undo—even if they fail spectacularly. I strongly oppose both measures.
More Committee Action
On Wednesday in HGEIC, we heard House Memorial 32, which was presented as a study of forced sterilization of Native American women. However, the sponsors added unrelated pro-abortion "reproductive justice" language, transforming it into an ideological vehicle. Because of that expansion, I voted no.
On Saturday in HGEIC, the committee heard House Joint Resolution 5, which proposes paying legislators via constitutional amendment. I opposed this measure. There were no requirements for legislators to clock hours, demonstrate productivity, or justify taxpayer-funded salaries. I ran for a position that does not pay, and I believe public service should remain just that—service.
Consumer and Public Affairs Committee: Crime Bills Killed
In the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC), where I sit, Democrats voted to kill three anti-crime bills sponsored by Rep. Andrea Reeb (R–Clovis) that would have addressed juvenile crime and strengthened accountability for violent offenders who commit rape, murder, and serious property crimes.
On Tuesday, the committee passed House Bill 124, which creates a new "New Americans" division within the Department of Workforce Solutions—potentially offering workforce and legal assistance to criminal aliens. Rep. Stefani Lord (R–Sandia Park) and I voted no. The committee also killed additional Republican crime bills—while allowing a similar Democrat bill to pass earlier—purely because of sponsorship.
On Thursday, I voted against House Bill 20, which adds a "Native American designation" to state-issued IDs and driver's licenses. I opposed the bill because it places law enforcement in untenable positions and invites fraudulent discrimination claims against officers simply doing their jobs.
House Floor and Budget Fallout
On the House floor, Democrats passed their far-left budget and rejected our amendment to reimburse Otero, Cibola, and Torrance Counties for the devastating economic losses caused by House Bill 9—the ICE detention shutdown bill. That amendment would have made our counties whole after the loss of hundreds of jobs and millions in revenue. I am now working with senators to revive this amendment in the Senate Finance Committee or on the Senate floor.
Two Republican senators were absent during the HB 9 vote, and the amendment failed by a single vote. Had they been present, our districts would not be facing this economic catastrophe.
Progress on Veterans' Legislation
There was good news this week as well. My bill, House Bill 221, which increases the personal income tax exemption for military retirees and surviving spouses from $30,000 to 100% of retirement income, passed the House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee unanimously. It now heads to House Taxation and Revenue.
Senate Actions: Second Amendment Under Attack
On Saturday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 17 after just five hours of debate—a blatantly unconstitutional attack on the Second Amendment. The bill would ban the sale of the most common rifles in America, outlaw standard-capacity magazines, prohibit .50 caliber firearms, impose extreme mandates on firearms dealers, and effectively ban private transfers of legally owned firearms.
This came after I urged the Senate to filibuster the bill at a Saturday rally defending our Second Amendment rights. Unfortunately, those warnings went ignored.
Another extreme measure, Senate Bill 18—the so-called "Clear Horizons" Act—was advanced through the Senate Tax Committee and now heads to the Senate floor.
What's Next
On the House side, we will fight relentlessly in the coming days to stop SB 17, SB 18, and other dangerous proposals from becoming law. The stakes could not be higher.
