Email
Three prominent proposals advocated by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and supported by some Democrats died — along with opposition alternatives — when the New Mexico Legislature adjourned its 30-day session on Feb. 16.
The proposals were renewed pushes to repeal New Mexico’s 2003 law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, to end the “social promotion” practice of advancing students despite reading deficiencies and to tie public school teacher performance evaluations to student test scores.
Versions of all three proposals failed in the Democratic-majority Legislature last year. Here is an abbreviated history of the legislative roads traveled by the bills this year.
Driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants
House Bill 103
Repeal license law — governor-backed bill
Jan. 19
House Bill 103 is introduced by Rep Andy Nuñez, i-Hatch, to repeal New Mexico law allowing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Feb. 8
After referrals to two committees, House approves HB 103 on a 45-25 vote and sends it to the Senate.
Feb. 11
HB 103 is referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee five days before adjournment.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
Upon adjournment of the legislative session, HB 103 dies in the Senate Judiciary Committee without ever being heard.
Senate Bill 235
Tighten but not repeal license law — Democratic alternative
Jan. 26
Senate Bill 235 is introduced by Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, to tighten the driver’s license law but not repeal it.
Feb. 13
After referrals to two committees, Senate passes SB 235 on a 27-15 vote and sends it to the House.
Feb. 14
SB 235 is referred to the House Labor and Human Resources Committee two days before adjournment.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
Upon adjournment, SB 235 dies in the House Labor and Human Resources Committee with no action taken by the committee.
‘Social promotion’
SENATE BILL 96, HOUSE BILL 69
Prevent grade advancement of reading-deficient students — governor-backed bills
Jan. 19, Jan. 18
Senate Bill 96 is introduced by Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, in the Senate, and House Bill 69 is introduced by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, in the House Education Committee.
Both governor-backed bills call for retention of third-graders who can’t read well.
Feb. 12
HB 69 is moved forward by the House Judiciary Committee after a controversial amendment — parental consent — is added.
Bill moves to the House floor.
Feb. 13
After two committee referrals, SB 96 passes the Senate 24-15 and heads to the House. Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Nambé, abruptly ends a House floor session and delays debate on HB 69.
Feb. 15
One day before adjournment, House passes HB69 on a 47-23 vote and sends it to the Senate. SB 96 advances through two House committees, including House Judiciary Committee, where amendments are added that would require the bill to return to the Senate for concurrence if later passed by the full House. HB 69 as amended is received by the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
Upon adjournment, HB 69 dies in the Senate Judiciary Committee without a hearing. SB 96 dies on the House floor after Democrats delay debate until the final minutes of the 30-day session.
SENATE BILL 50, HOUSE BILL 53
Provide remediation for reading-deficient students — opposition alternatives
Jan. 18
Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Rick Miera, D-Albuquerque, introduce union-supported proposal in each chamber — Senate Bill 50 and House Bill 53 — to provide reading remediation programs to avoid student retentions.
Feb. 2
HB 53 referred to the House Education Committee.
Feb. 13
After three committee referrals, a substitute for SB 50 is passed by the Senate 29-13 and
moves to the House.
Feb. 15
One day before adjournment, SB 50 is tabled in the House Education Committee.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
Upon adjournment, HB 53 dies with no action taken by the House Education Committee.
Teacher evaluations
HOUSE BILL 249, SENATE BILL 293
Tie teacher evaluations to student test scores — governor-backed bills
Jan. 27, Jan. 31
Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico, and Sen. Vernon Asbill, R-Carlsbad, introduce House Bill 249 and Senate Bill 293.
Feb. 14
Two days before adjournment, after committee hearings on Feb. 6 and Feb. 14, House passes compromise bill merging HB 249 and HB 251 on a 57-9 vote and sends it to the Senate.
Feb. 15
One day before adjournment, HB 249/251 is referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where SB 293 has also been sent.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
Upon adjournment, both HB249/251 and SB 293 die in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HOUSE BILL 251, SENATE BILL 315
Base teacher evaluations on student “learning objectives” — Democratic alternatives
Jan. 27, Feb. 1
Rep. Rick Miera, D-Albuquerque, and Sen. Howie Morales, D-Silver City, supported by teacher unions, introduce House Bill 251 and Senate Bill 315.
Feb. 14
SB 315 clears the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote and moves to the full Senate.
Feb. 16: BILL DIES
SB 315 dies in the Senate with no vote being taken.
