(SANTA FE, NM) – Business on the Senate Floor continued this Monday morning following an opening led by Taos High School’s Mariachi El Tigre to commemorate Taos County Day. Business conducted today:
Confirming Key Appointments
Today the New Mexico Senate confirmed the appointment of Melanie Kenderdine as Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department by a unanimous vote of 31-0. Kenderdine has held a long career in energy. She established and led the MIT Energy Initiative as Executive Director for six years and has served at the federal level in the Clinton and Obama administrations.
“When industry experts and federal regulators work with Secretary Kenderdine, they know they are working with a nationally renowned leader in natural resource management,” said Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) upon Secretary Kenderdine’s confirmation. “New Mexico is immensely fortunate to have Secretary Kenderdine at the helm during this crucial moment in determining our climate future.”
Also by a unanimous vote of 31-0, the New Mexico Senate confirmed Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson to be the 25th State Engineer of New Mexico. With over 25 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering, Liz Anderson has dedicated her career to water resources management, filling key leadership positions in both the public and private sector. Anderson most recently served as the Senior Advisor to the State Engineer. Anderson is the first woman to be appointed and confirmed to this role.
“It’s important to me to be a good neighbor to the states we share stream systems with, and most importantly to stand up for New Mexico’s needs,” said State Engineer Anderson in her confirmation hearing in the Senate Rules Committee this morning. “I’ll continue to work with the skilled professionals on staff at the Office of State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission to maintain a competitive and highly technical workforce across the agency.”
Supporting Uninsured Individuals in Covering Marketplace Healthcare Costs
Senate Bill 45 would support those individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid but who are lower income and need assistance covering Marketplace health insurance costs.
Counties can choose whether to opt-in. The Health Care Assistance Fund, paid for by up to 0.1875% of each county’s Taxable Gross Receipts, will assist paying insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health care expenses for those experiencing severe financial hardship. Each county can then appropriate money from their Health Care Assistance Funds as they choose among authorized expenditures under the Act.
“In New Mexico, we hold a longstanding tradition of helping our neighbors where we can, when we can,” said Senate Bill 45 sponsor Senator Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces). “This legislation sets up the funds and framework counties need to create health care ecosystems tailored to communities’ unique needs.”
Additional Business Discussed:
- Senate Bill 155 — DETERMINATION OF EMBEZZLEMENT PENALTY (Passes 41-0)
- Senate Bill 53 — PRESCRIBING PSYCHOLOGIST PSYCHOTROPICS (Passes 38-1)
- Senate Bill 290 — RAISE MARRIAGE LICENSE FEES (Passes 27-11)
- Senate Bill 168 — TRAVEL INSURANCE ACT (Passes 42-0)
- Senate Bill 170 — NMFA DEFINITIONS, FUNDS & RATES (Passes 32-0)
- Senate Joint Resolution 15 — APPOINTED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, CA (Passes 27-15)
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