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Thursday, February 04, 2010

In Brief


Journal Staff Report
       Polluter-Control Legislation Stalls
    SANTA FE — A state House committee on Wednesday stalled legislation that would allow New Mexico's natural resources trustee to pursue damages from polluters that have compromised groundwater or other natural resources.
    Business and industry representatives, ranchers and dairymen have criticized the legislation (HB27) for going too far and essentially transferring power from the Legislature to the trustee, an unelected position without public oversight.
    The bill's sponsor, Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, tried to address concerns by amending the bill to limit the discretion of the trustee and protect property rights. However, the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee split along party lines on efforts to both approve the measure and table it.
    Senate Approves Whistle-Blower Bill
    SANTA FE — The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly endorsed a bill aimed at protecting government employees who blow the whistle on illegal or unethical practices.
    The legislation (SB96) is sponsored by Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park. It has passed the Legislature previously but was vetoed by the governor.
    The Senate approved the bill 38-2, sending it to the House.
    It would prohibit retaliation against public employees who refuse to participate in something they believe is improper, or who disclose information or testify about it.
    Employees could sue and be eligible for reinstatement with two times the amount of back pay.
    Missing Persons Bill Passes Senate
    SANTA FE — A bill touted by proponents as a way of making missing persons easier to find was endorsed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday.
    Senate members voted 40-0 in favor of the Missing Persons and Reporting Act (SB55), which would require that the names of adults reported as missing be entered into a centralized state database.
    The measure, sponsored by Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, would also mandate training on missing persons cases for law enforcement.
    The proposal grew out of several working groups put together by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish in the aftermath of the discovery of 11 women's remains in shallow graves on Albuquerque's West Mesa.

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