(SANTA FE, NM) – With eight and a half days until sine die, the sprint to the end of the First Session of the 57th Legislature is officially on. Today the New Mexico Senate convened for a split floor session, once at 11:30am and again at 7:00pm, to consider legislative proposals pertaining to economic development and public safety, among other initiatives. Business considered today includes:
Reforming and Strengthening New Mexico’s Child Welfare System
Today Senate Bill 42, The New Mexico Child Safety and Welfare Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to improve the state’s child welfare system, passed the Senate on a unanimous vote (38-0). The bill includes a variety of critical measures aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and supporting those who work in child welfare services.
The bill strengthens the state’s implementation of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). This includes replacing the term “plan of care” with “plan of safe care” to align with federal statutes, and designating the Department of Health (DOH) as the lead agency in managing care coordination for substance-exposed newborns. DOH will be responsible for ensuring compliance with federal reporting requirements, providing training for hospitals, and conducting home visits to help connect families with necessary services. Additionally, CYFD will be required to be notified of any disengagement from the plan to ensure continued safety and care for the child.
“In a session full of CYFD legislation, this legislature has united in its common goal of protecting our children,” said bill sponsor Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla (D – Albuquerque). “This legislation is the most comprehensive reform of CYFD in decades. It contains key provisions that will require full CARA implementation, implementation of the federal Families First Act, full transparency of the work of the department, and insurance benefits for children in protective services.”
Senate Bill 42 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. The bill’s sponsors include Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, Senator Linda M. Trujillo, Senator Heather Berghmans, Senator Liz Stefanics, and House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong.
Greenlighting Rural Infrastructure Development Collaboration
On a vote of 39-0, the New Mexico Senate passed an important measure sponsored by Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee Chair Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) to aid the development of rural utility infrastructure. Senate Bill 357 helps to address demand for much needed improvements such as broadband, energy, water, and wastewater services, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas. This bill authorizes state support for these projects by creating a framework for establishing approval for such projects and managing funds.
“This bipartisan supported bill demonstrates the positive statewide impact good legislation can have when legislators put their communities first,” said Senator Hamblen. “I am proud to work with my colleagues throughout our great state, collaborating on good legislation that will provide basic services to every New Mexican who needs assistance.”
Allowing Immigrants with Legal Work Authorization to Serve as Police Officers
Public safety starts with having police officers in our communities, available to help and respond to our residents’ needs. Sponsored by former Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient Senator Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo), Senate Bill 364 (passed 26-12) expands eligibility for service as a police officer in the state of New Mexico to include non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This measure addresses the dire need for recruitment and retainment of police officers in NM-by providing law abiding members of our immigrant communities the opportunity to serve the state they call home.
“Senate Bill 364 recognizes that our immigrant family members, neighbors and friends are an integral and valuable part of our community and our workforce,” said bill sponsor Senator Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo).
Honoring Española Valley and the Lowrider
Upon unanimous (40-0) passage of Senate Bill 327, creating a Lowrider Capital of the World License Plate honoring the Española Valley, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Leo Jaramillo (D-Española) shared the following:
“Many people asked if I was wasting my time by trying to get this license plate bill passed, but what I know about my Española Valley is that we love where we come from. I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line so that soon everyone across our great state of New Mexico will know that in Española we’re proud to say that we’re brown, we’re down, and we’re low to the ground.”
Senate Memorials Pass Floor
Additionally, the Senate considered the following Memorials:
- Senate Joint Memorial 3 –HIGHER ED BILINGUAL ED FACULTIES & DEGREE (Passed 37-0)
- Senate Memorial 9 – CONTINUE & IMPROVE 520 LANGUAGE (Passed 37-0)
- Senate Memorial 22 – K-12 WATER CONSERVATION CURRICULUM (Passed 37-0)
Memorials are nonbinding measures to express the official sentiments of the New Mexico Senate.
Additional Business Discussed:
- Senate Bill 434 – MATH AND READING ACADEMIC SUPPORT (Passes 39-0)
- The Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 5, GAME COMMISSION REFORM (Concurs 21-16)
- House Joint Resolution 2 – ELIMINATE POCKET VETOES, CA (Passes 38-0)
Programming Note: New Mexico and the Bolo Tie
Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales (D-Ranchos de Taos) rose to discuss the significance of the bolo tie in New Mexico. On March 13, 2007, our late-Governor Bill Richardson signed House Bill 115 into law, officially designating the bolo tie as the official New Mexico tie. To celebrate this anniversary, Senator Gonzales is hosting the first-ever New Mexico Senate Bolo Tie Contest this Saturday, March 15, 2025 amid the regular business of the day.
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