LEGISLATURE 2018
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Crime
Democrats push for funds for more cops
Gov. Martinez asks for hearing on child abuse bill
Crime bill gets final approval
Supporters fear time is running out on child abuse bill
Anti-crime bill moves forward in Senate
Senate passes bill for crisis triage centers
Sen. Smith: Don’t expect big changes on DA funding
Auto theft bill wins House approval
Child abuse measure advances
Bill offers options for juvenile offenders
Bill would broaden rules for reporting suspected child abuse
Bipartisan anti-crime proposal wins House approval
Expansion of ‘Baby Brianna’s Law’ advances
Omnibus bill takes bipartisan tack on crime
Gov. Martinez asks for hearing on child abuse bill
Crime bill gets final approval
Supporters fear time is running out on child abuse bill
Anti-crime bill moves forward in Senate
Senate passes bill for crisis triage centers
Sen. Smith: Don’t expect big changes on DA funding
Auto theft bill wins House approval
Child abuse measure advances
Bill offers options for juvenile offenders
Bill would broaden rules for reporting suspected child abuse
Bipartisan anti-crime proposal wins House approval
Expansion of ‘Baby Brianna’s Law’ advances
Omnibus bill takes bipartisan tack on crime
Bill to remove murder statute of limitation advances
Child abuse bill moves forward in Senate
Debate centers on funding state’s biggest DA office
Bill would put officers on gorge bridge to prevent suicides
Amendments for safety funding clear first hurdle
Child abuse bill introduced in Senate
AG seeks to expand child abuse reporting law
Analysts: More officers, not penalties, a key to fighting crime
Governor to push for tougher child abuse penalties
House GOP leader wants bipartisan bills
Gov. wants to grant immunity to police
Martinez again backs death penalty, stiffer sentences
Legislator proposes ban on gun ‘bump stocks’
Lawmakers push for stolen vehicle bill
Child abuse bill moves forward in Senate
Debate centers on funding state’s biggest DA office
Bill would put officers on gorge bridge to prevent suicides
Amendments for safety funding clear first hurdle
Child abuse bill introduced in Senate
AG seeks to expand child abuse reporting law
Analysts: More officers, not penalties, a key to fighting crime
Governor to push for tougher child abuse penalties
House GOP leader wants bipartisan bills
Gov. wants to grant immunity to police
Martinez again backs death penalty, stiffer sentences
Legislator proposes ban on gun ‘bump stocks’
Lawmakers push for stolen vehicle bill
Budget and Taxes
Bill would keep tax deduction
House, Senate agree to budget compromise
Senate passes $6.3 billion budget; House rejects changes
Holiday shopping tax break advances
Solar tax credit heads to House floor
House considers funding for school safety
Money to fight crime added to $6.3 billion budget bill
House approves pet food tax to support spay-neuter programs
Taxes weighed for internet sales, not-for-profit hospital services
Food tax bill gets chewed up by Senate commitee
Investigation sought on panel’s budget work
House approves $6.3B budget on 65-3 vote
House panel approves $6.3B budget on 17-1 vote
$6.3B bipartisan budget plan advances in House
Bill to ensure tax levies for labs clears committee
Permanent fund proposal headed to House floor
Federal changes contribute to tax model delay
NM revenue recovery rolls on: now $292.3M in ‘new’ money
Senators reject funding plan as brine well nears collapse
House, Senate agree to budget compromise
Senate passes $6.3 billion budget; House rejects changes
Holiday shopping tax break advances
Solar tax credit heads to House floor
House considers funding for school safety
Money to fight crime added to $6.3 billion budget bill
House approves pet food tax to support spay-neuter programs
Taxes weighed for internet sales, not-for-profit hospital services
Food tax bill gets chewed up by Senate commitee
Investigation sought on panel’s budget work
House approves $6.3B budget on 65-3 vote
House panel approves $6.3B budget on 17-1 vote
$6.3B bipartisan budget plan advances in House
Bill to ensure tax levies for labs clears committee
Permanent fund proposal headed to House floor
Federal changes contribute to tax model delay
NM revenue recovery rolls on: now $292.3M in ‘new’ money
Senators reject funding plan as brine well nears collapse
Cigarette tax hike passes first committee
House committee endorses tax break for shoppers
Pet food fee advances in NM Senate
State bonds being considered for highway projects
Computer model to help overhaul tax code isn’t ready yet
Southern NM lawmakers pushing for additional funding this session
Legislature 2018: More money, brighter outlook
Health, teacher groups push cigarette tax hike
Martinez, lawmakers appear close on budget plans
Governor proposes 4% rise in spending, ambitious agenda
Governor offers her agenda items for legislature
Tax reform overhaul sought
New Mexico’s budget outlook grows brighter
Capitol Notebook: State senator wants study of soda tax
Legislative panel wants raises for state workers
Child care assistance eyed for budget boost
NM lawmakers have new tool for tax debate
Rewrite of NM tax code not likely in ’18
House committee endorses tax break for shoppers
Pet food fee advances in NM Senate
State bonds being considered for highway projects
Computer model to help overhaul tax code isn’t ready yet
Southern NM lawmakers pushing for additional funding this session
Legislature 2018: More money, brighter outlook
Health, teacher groups push cigarette tax hike
Martinez, lawmakers appear close on budget plans
Governor proposes 4% rise in spending, ambitious agenda
Governor offers her agenda items for legislature
Tax reform overhaul sought
New Mexico’s budget outlook grows brighter
Capitol Notebook: State senator wants study of soda tax
Legislative panel wants raises for state workers
Child care assistance eyed for budget boost
NM lawmakers have new tool for tax debate
Rewrite of NM tax code not likely in ’18
Roundhouse Insider
Governor signs guardianship overhaul law
Harassment claims filed against legislators
‘Systemic racism’ claimed in proposal’s defeat
Lawmakers expect veto pen will be little used
Session ends on bipartisan note
Guardianship reform bill goes to governor
Spaceport bill passes
Guardianship reforms near finish line
Spaceport confidentiality bill revised in committee
Last-ditch bill aims at helping San Juan County
Slimmer guardians bill gains steam
At Film and Media Day, actor says he plans to stay in NM
Spaceport bill passes Senate
House to consider bill to prevent Carlsbad well collapse
Bill mandating front-end license plates gets red light
Spaceport bill clears key Senate committee
Pension forfeiture bill clears House via 61-7 vote
Committee endorses push to consolidate local elections
Lawmakers rail at Journal over editorial cartoon
Bill on union fees rejected in House committee
Pension forfeiture bill headed to House floor
‘Step therapy’ appeal bill supported
Guardianship office resists use of surplus
NM House honors officer who adopted baby
Senate beats House 33-24 in annual basketball game
NM House Dems’ political arm apologizes for email
Senate to consider guardianship fix
Senate wants monthly reporting of social spending
Senate committee votes to table PNM coal bill
House panel rejects abortion notification law
Bipartisan spirit abounds this year
Governor seeks public records legislation
Proponents try pot legalization again
Big, small guardianship actions debated
Harassment claims filed against legislators
‘Systemic racism’ claimed in proposal’s defeat
Lawmakers expect veto pen will be little used
Session ends on bipartisan note
Guardianship reform bill goes to governor
Spaceport bill passes
Guardianship reforms near finish line
Spaceport confidentiality bill revised in committee
Last-ditch bill aims at helping San Juan County
Slimmer guardians bill gains steam
At Film and Media Day, actor says he plans to stay in NM
Spaceport bill passes Senate
House to consider bill to prevent Carlsbad well collapse
Bill mandating front-end license plates gets red light
Spaceport bill clears key Senate committee
Pension forfeiture bill clears House via 61-7 vote
Committee endorses push to consolidate local elections
Lawmakers rail at Journal over editorial cartoon
Bill on union fees rejected in House committee
Pension forfeiture bill headed to House floor
‘Step therapy’ appeal bill supported
Guardianship office resists use of surplus
NM House honors officer who adopted baby
Senate beats House 33-24 in annual basketball game
NM House Dems’ political arm apologizes for email
Senate to consider guardianship fix
Senate wants monthly reporting of social spending
Senate committee votes to table PNM coal bill
House panel rejects abortion notification law
Bipartisan spirit abounds this year
Governor seeks public records legislation
Proponents try pot legalization again
Big, small guardianship actions debated
Senate panel OKs Spaceport privacy bill
‘Human moment’ or ‘cracking wise’ on Parkinson’s?
Bill seeks alerts for failed gun buys
Private caucus meetings direct flow of Legislature
An injured ankle, healthy sense of humor
Gov. vetoes funding for panel responsible for confirmations
Guardianship bill clears first Senate committee
Bill removing annual NM film incentive cap advances
Parkinson’s patients ask Legislature for help
Governor, key Democrat back Spaceport secrecy bill
‘Step therapy’ proposal wins Senate approval
Dems want to block border wall on state land
Overhaul of state guardianship laws proposed
Governor says future does not include judgeship, Senate race
3 lawmakers must attend make-up training
Senators announce Hispanic caucus
First bill rides in on the fast track
Fundraising on hold during session
NM Senate approves multistate compact for nurses
Protesters interrupt State of the State address
Gov. Martinez: “The state of our state is strong — and getting stronger”
Mimi Stewart joins NM Senate leadership
Top NM lawmakers approve new anti-harassment policy
Bill aims at sex misconduct disclosure
NM lawmakers unveil new harassment policy
Martinez ‘ready to work with anyone’ at last legislative session
Contested vetoed bills to remain in limbo
Politics Notebook: Padilla’s firm worked for state despite harassment allegations
Padilla kicked out of majority whip post
Legislators draft new sex harassment policy
Sunshine Portal keeps New Mexico in the dark
Lobbyist: Legislator sought sex for vote
‘Human moment’ or ‘cracking wise’ on Parkinson’s?
Bill seeks alerts for failed gun buys
Private caucus meetings direct flow of Legislature
An injured ankle, healthy sense of humor
Gov. vetoes funding for panel responsible for confirmations
Guardianship bill clears first Senate committee
Bill removing annual NM film incentive cap advances
Parkinson’s patients ask Legislature for help
Governor, key Democrat back Spaceport secrecy bill
‘Step therapy’ proposal wins Senate approval
Dems want to block border wall on state land
Overhaul of state guardianship laws proposed
Governor says future does not include judgeship, Senate race
3 lawmakers must attend make-up training
Senators announce Hispanic caucus
First bill rides in on the fast track
Fundraising on hold during session
NM Senate approves multistate compact for nurses
Protesters interrupt State of the State address
Gov. Martinez: “The state of our state is strong — and getting stronger”
Mimi Stewart joins NM Senate leadership
Top NM lawmakers approve new anti-harassment policy
Bill aims at sex misconduct disclosure
NM lawmakers unveil new harassment policy
Martinez ‘ready to work with anyone’ at last legislative session
Contested vetoed bills to remain in limbo
Politics Notebook: Padilla’s firm worked for state despite harassment allegations
Padilla kicked out of majority whip post
Legislators draft new sex harassment policy
Sunshine Portal keeps New Mexico in the dark
Lobbyist: Legislator sought sex for vote
Education
Governor extends terms of two UNM regents
Bill would shift levels of lottery scholarship
Senator calls for resignations by regents at NMSU
Advocates of early childhood proposal vow to keep trying
Senate president takes aim at NMSU regents
Fight escalates over appointment of NM education chief
Changes to lottery scholarship fund win House approval
Teacher pay bill stymied on party-line vote
House approves bill for texts to parents of struggling students
Effort to end ‘social promotion’ stalls again
Early childhood measure advances
Early childhood proposal to get first Senate hearing Friday
Bill proposes to tap smaller permanent fund
Smaller proposal on early childhood advances in Senate
House OKs early childhood education measure
Conflict-of-interest rules urged for regents
Senate panel kills regents selection plan
Committee approves two bipartisan bills on education
Lottery bill proceeds through committee
Early childhood amendment clears first Senate hurdle
Overhaul of regent selection
Lawmakers propose changes to Lottery scholarship program
Bill would offer scholarships for older students
Higher education cuts unlikely, but some colleges could lose
Education secretary’s resignation demanded
Early childhood amendment clears first hurdle
Education committees want more say
Supporters try again for early childhood amendment
Committee: Consolidating NM college boards not the answer
State senators push for new regent selection process
Bill would require post-high school plan
New plan for early childhood education
Bill would shift levels of lottery scholarship
Senator calls for resignations by regents at NMSU
Advocates of early childhood proposal vow to keep trying
Senate president takes aim at NMSU regents
Fight escalates over appointment of NM education chief
Changes to lottery scholarship fund win House approval
Teacher pay bill stymied on party-line vote
House approves bill for texts to parents of struggling students
Effort to end ‘social promotion’ stalls again
Early childhood measure advances
Early childhood proposal to get first Senate hearing Friday
Bill proposes to tap smaller permanent fund
Smaller proposal on early childhood advances in Senate
House OKs early childhood education measure
Conflict-of-interest rules urged for regents
Senate panel kills regents selection plan
Committee approves two bipartisan bills on education
Lottery bill proceeds through committee
Early childhood amendment clears first Senate hurdle
Overhaul of regent selection
Lawmakers propose changes to Lottery scholarship program
Bill would offer scholarships for older students
Higher education cuts unlikely, but some colleges could lose
Education secretary’s resignation demanded
Early childhood amendment clears first hurdle
Education committees want more say
Supporters try again for early childhood amendment
Committee: Consolidating NM college boards not the answer
State senators push for new regent selection process
Bill would require post-high school plan
New plan for early childhood education
Resources
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Complete list of bills
Find and contact your legislator
State of New Mexico legislature page
Complete list of bills
Find and contact your legislator
State of New Mexico legislature page
KEY DATES
Jan 16 – Session begins at noon
Jan 31 – Last day to file bills
Feb 15 – Session ends at noon
Mar 7 – Deadline for governor to act on most approved bills
Jan 16 – Session begins at noon
Jan 31 – Last day to file bills
Feb 15 – Session ends at noon
Mar 7 – Deadline for governor to act on most approved bills
Legislative Overview
Chambers
Our team
Dan Boyd, pictured left, is the Capitol Bureau Chief for the Journal and has covered the New Mexico Legislature since 2008. He previously covered Santa Fe City Hall and worked for a newspaper in Idaho. After nearly a decade working there, Boyd rarely gets lost in the Roundhouse.
Dan McKay, center, joined the legislative team ahead of the 2017 session, when he learned more than he ever wanted to know about sponge bonds. Before that, he covered City Hall and county government in Albuquerque. McKay is an Air Force brat who graduated from the University of New Mexico.
Eddie Moore, right, lives in Santa Fe County and has been covering the New Mexico Legislature, state government and northern New Mexico as a news photographer for more than 20 years, sometimes with a patrician slant toward fishing.
Robert Browman and Nicole Perez of the Journal’s Digital Team run this page. Dave Jordan designed it.