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NM Legislative Session 2022
This category will fill with information on the 30-day legislative session that begins on Jan. 18, 2022.
Santa Fe – The state's taxation of social security benefits might soon be a thing of the past. Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) and Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) are once again co-sponsoring legislation to repeal the tax New Mexico places on social security income. They pre-filed House Bill 48 and are guardedly optimistic the bill will receive the approval of the legislature and governor this session.
"Sometimes it takes years of hard work to achieve passage of legislation," said Brown. "Representative Armstrong and I have been working tirelessly for six years to repeal this tax. It's unfair that our senior citizens are subjected to two points of taxation: at the front end, when they make contributions into the Social Security system, and then later, when they draw their benefits."
"We have had some bipartisan support for the repeal in years past," said Armstrong, "but not nearly enough. Democratic legislators, by and large, were dead set on keeping the tax in place."
Fair Districts for New Mexico supports HJR 9 Independent Redistricting Commission
Santa Fe, New Mexico - Fair Districts for New Mexico, an organization working toward redistricting reform, including legislation creating fair voting districts, supports House Joint Resolution 9 (HJR 9) for the creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission.
Fair Districts for New Mexico, and its forty partner organizations, urges New Mexicans to support HJR9 introduced today by Representatives Natalie Figueroa and Daymon Ely. If passed, the resolution will put the opportunity to create a true independent redistricting commission on the 2022 general election ballot. It would model the successful Citizen Redistricting Committee (CRC) model.
Fair Districts for New Mexico (FDNM) and partners led the coalition that promoted the 2021 Redistricting Act, creating the CRC.
SANTA FE – Senator David Gallegos (District 41-Eddy and Lea) and the Senate Republican Caucus today introduced legislation to repeal the existing tax on social security benefits. As it stands, New Mexico is one of only 13 states to tax social security income on our seniors. Yahoo News—which compiled the top ranking lists for retirement states in the nation—ranked New Mexico dead last and deemed it the worst place to retire in the nation in 2021.
"There has never been a more important time to give our seniors some tax relief, especially those who are caregivers and those on a limited, fixed income," said Senator Gallegos, the primary sponsor of the legislation. "For our matriarchs and patriarchs who cannot afford to give up a cent of their fixed income, but do so anyway, we are fighting for you. To those in our state who care for your grandchildren, we are here to fight for you. And for those looking for condos in Florida and Texas the day you retire, please wait, because we want you to stay home."
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES – Representative Rebecca Dow, who is currently a Republican front-runner for Governor, today introduced House Bill 91 that would prohibit the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in Public Schools.
Dow's bill puts forth an all-encompassing list of definitions for CRT, but in essence describes it as as being "any theory or ideology that espouses the view that one race is inherently racist, sexist or intentionally or inadvertently oppressive."
"MLG and the New Mexico Department of Education have forced an agenda of shame and division on our children, teaching them that the color of their skin is more important than their character. As a mother, a child advocate and an expert in education, I am deeply concerned for the future of our students should our government continue to expose them to the damaging worldview that Critical Race Theory teaches," said Dow.
House Democrats focus on putting historic state budget to work for New Mexicans, with major investments in public safety, education, and climate
Santa Fe, N.M. – The New Mexico House of Representatives called to order the Second Session of the 55th Legislature today at 12 p.m. During the 30-day legislative session, lawmakers will create the state budget for the next fiscal year and consider bills on priority issues.
House Democrats are focused on using the state’s historic revenues to deliver results for hardworking New Mexicans with investments and legislation to make communities safer, improve educational outcomes for New Mexico’s students, expand access to broadband and healthcare, and take necessary action to address climate change and transition to a clean energy economy.
“Our unprecedented state budget presents us with a tremendous opportunity this session. We must invest these funds responsibly to ensure we can make the transformational change that communities and families across our state so badly need,” said Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) in his opening remarks.
Screening for Firearms
Per Legislative Council Policy No. 26, beginning on December 6, 2021, all firearms, including concealed handguns, explosives or other deadly weapons are prohibited in the State Capitol with limited exceptions. Security staff will conduct the screening of members of the public entering the building. Magnetometers (or metal detectors) are placed at the public entrances.
Vaccination Requirement
A member of the public ("individual") wishing to enter the State Capitol must provide a government-issued photo ID and adequate proof of being fully vaccinated (up-to-date vaccination) against COVID-19 unless the individual qualifies for an exemption. For the purposes of this vaccination requirement policy, an individual will be considered fully vaccinated (or up-to-date vaccination) if the individual has completed the initial series and is not yet eligible for a booster or has received a booster when eligible, specifically:
Santa Fe, NM. - Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) has released the following statement regarding COVID-19 safety protocols for the 2022 legislative session:
“All House committee meetings will be virtual during the 30-day session that begins on Tuesday, January 18th. House floor sessions will continue to take place in person, but members who test positive for COVID-19 or experience symptoms of COVID-19, are under a mandatory quarantine or self-isolation order, are high risk, or live with someone who is high risk or not eligible for vaccination, will be able to participate virtually.
Members of the public must still show proof of full vaccination, or have a valid medical or religious exemption and show a negative COVID-19 test to enter the building. Members of the public may also continue to participate in committee hearings virtually or provide public comment in person.”