(SANTA FE, NM) – On the final Tuesday of the First Session of the 57th Legislature of New Mexico, the New Mexico Senate convened for a split session. Business discussed included:
Continuing the Professionalization and Growth of High-Quality Early Childhood Education in New Mexico
Passed by a vote of 30-0, Senate Bill 58 furthers the growth and professionalization of the state’s workforce and facilities for early childhood education programming. The bill strengthens the statutory framework for a universal high quality early childhood system by reducing administrative burden for providers, streamlining processes, and improving access to services. There are four key components: 1) it moves ECECD’s existing childcare licensing authority from the Public Health Act to the Children’s Code; 2) it creates a procurement exemption for purchase of childcare by ECECD; 3) it updates the Pre-Kindergarten Act to provide for continuity of care; and 4) it clarifies that ECECD is the department to which the Childcare Facility Licensing Act applies.
“This measure continues to further professionalize our workforce and ensure that we have top quality facilities for all of our early education services in New Mexico,” said bill sponsor Senator Michael Padilla (D- Albuquerque).
Funding Education Technology Infrastructure Projects
Senate Bill 401, which passed on a vote of 23-6, aims to enhance the educational technology infrastructure across the state. It seeks to achieve this by amending the Severance Tax Bonding Act to provide funding for information technology projects, creating the Technology Infrastructure Fund, and transferring oversight responsibilities to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion.
“This is about continuing our path to modernize how we manage the proliferation, expansion, and access to broadband here in New Mexico. We’ve already moved the staffing previously, and this further streamlines everything, ensuring we meet our vision of a unified front of how we deliver broadband,” said Senate Bill 401 sponsor Senator Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque).
Creating Wildfire Suppression and Preparedness Funds
Passing by a vote of 26-0, House Bill 191 creates two wildfire-related permanent funds administered by the Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department: the Post-Wildfire Fund and the Wildfire Suppression Fund. The Post-Wildfire Fund will act as an additional support for the State Forestry Division’s duties by supplementing wildfire preparations, including prepositioning of resources and forest-thinning work, for which the legislature provides recurring funds through the State Forestry Department budget. The Post-Wildfire Fund will act as a repository for reimbursements, appropriations, gifts and revenue. The Wildfire Suppression Fund will provide support with the costs associated with activity fighting wildfires, including expenses such as vehicle rental and repair and paying contract wildland firefighters.
“True recovery from devastating wildfires is a long-term investment, and these funds make sure New Mexico can support both prevention and recovery efforts as we move forward,” said sponsor Senator Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas).
Enforcing More Safety in the Cannabis Industry
House Bill 10 (passed 25-1) would establish an enforcement bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department and expand the Cannabis Control Division’s regulatory authority. The legislation will allow the department to hire certified peace officers to investigate and pursue criminal charges against individuals who violate licensing requirements and defy the Cannabis Regulation Act. The bill now moves to the governor’s desk for signature.
“HB 10 will give the Cannabis Control Division much-needed enforcement authority to combat illegal activity in the cannabis industry,” said bill sponsor Senator Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe). “As this industry evolves it is important to give the CCD the tools needed to ensure its sustainability in an environment that is safe for our producers and the public alike.”
Protecting New Mexican Consumers from Unfair Firearm Practices
Senate Bill 318 adds illegal firearms and destructive devices to the Unfair Trade Practices Act, subjecting their manufacture, advertising, distribution, and sale to consumer protection laws. This enables accountability in situations where there is irresponsible or illegal manufacturing, selling, or distribution of such products. The bill passed by a vote of 21-18.
“The goal of this bill is straightforward: making sure that those who manufacture, distribute, market, and sell weapon conversion devices are held liable for the consequences of doing so,”said Senate Judiciary Chair and bill sponsor Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces). “Near to my district, we all remember the Walmart El Paso mass shooting, a man driving hundreds of miles specifically to El Paso to kill Mexicans and relying on one of these so-called ‘Glock switches.’ You shouldn’t be able to take a Glock and convert a handgun to shoot 40 rounds a second. And it’s not just mass carnage these weapons can inflict; I think back to our law enforcement – there’s no reason why our law enforcement should be out in the streets out-gunned by their adversaries.”
Additional Business Discussed:
- Senate Bill 17 – PAROLE & PAROLE BOARD CHANGES (Concurrence by voice vote)
- Senate Bill 146 – EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CHILDREN (Passes 28-0)
- Senate Bill 495 – HIGHER EDUCATION RADIO (Passes 19-11)
- Senate Bill 315 – STATE BREAD (Passes 28-0)
- House Bill 54 – DEFIBRILLATORS IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL (Passes 25-0)
- House Bill 192 – DIGITAL TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM SUBSCRIBER FEES (Passes 25-0)
- House Bill 323 – ENGINEER LICENSURE (Passes 25-2)
- House Bill 181 – STATE TRUST PROGRAM ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 298 – LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL CHANGES (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 155 – GAMING CONTROL BOARD DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 269 – HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY VISIT VERIFICATION (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 368 – HIGH WAGE JOBS TAX CREDIT “THRESHOLD JOB” (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 532 – STUDENT WATER SAFETY GUIDANCE (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 65 – INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS IN SCHOOL YEAR (Passes 38-0)
- House Bill 571 – BUILDING HOUSING COMMUNITIES (Passes 37-0)
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