LEGISLATURE 2021
Special Session News
Senate’s new Democrats difference in pot passage
Expungement for pot crimes wins approval
NM set to legalize cannabis after landmark Senate vote
Cannabis expungement bill gets Senate approval
Special session on cannabis legalization begins at Capitol
Economic development discussion gets new life
Expungement for pot crimes wins approval
NM set to legalize cannabis after landmark Senate vote
Cannabis expungement bill gets Senate approval
Special session on cannabis legalization begins at Capitol
Economic development discussion gets new life
Cannabis legalization may spawn profitable industry
Growers optimistic ahead of special session
Special session on cannabis legalization set for March 30
Governor signals special session after cannabis bill falls short
Q & A: Policy choices abound in legalization debate
How much green would recreational cannabis bring?
Growers optimistic ahead of special session
Special session on cannabis legalization set for March 30
Governor signals special session after cannabis bill falls short
Q & A: Policy choices abound in legalization debate
How much green would recreational cannabis bring?
Photos
Marijuana
Expungement for pot crimes wins approval
Senate’s new Democrats difference in pot passage
NM set to legalize cannabis after landmark Senate vote
Cannabis expungement bill gets Senate approval
Special session on cannabis legalization begins at Capitol
Cannabis legalization may spawn profitable industry
Growers optimistic ahead of special session
Special session on cannabis legalization set for March 30
Governor signals special session after cannabis bill falls short
Governor’s Office floats special session on cannabis bill
Cannabis legalization bill advances to Senate floor
Senators deadlock over cannabis legalization as session nears end
Stage set for showdown on cannabis legalization bills
Down to the wire for cannabis legalization
Four cannabis bills jockey for approval
Cannabis legalization bill headed to House floor
Personal production limits in two cannabis bills draw scrutiny
First cannabis legalization bills filed at Roundhouse
Legalization advocates optimistic for next year
Q & A: Policy choices abound in legalization debate
How much green would recreational cannabis bring?
Senate’s new Democrats difference in pot passage
NM set to legalize cannabis after landmark Senate vote
Cannabis expungement bill gets Senate approval
Special session on cannabis legalization begins at Capitol
Cannabis legalization may spawn profitable industry
Growers optimistic ahead of special session
Special session on cannabis legalization set for March 30
Governor signals special session after cannabis bill falls short
Governor’s Office floats special session on cannabis bill
Cannabis legalization bill advances to Senate floor
Senators deadlock over cannabis legalization as session nears end
Stage set for showdown on cannabis legalization bills
Down to the wire for cannabis legalization
Four cannabis bills jockey for approval
Cannabis legalization bill headed to House floor
Personal production limits in two cannabis bills draw scrutiny
First cannabis legalization bills filed at Roundhouse
Legalization advocates optimistic for next year
Q & A: Policy choices abound in legalization debate
How much green would recreational cannabis bring?
Pandemic Response
GOP bid to force vote on emergency powers bill fails
House bill on changes to help renters OK’d
Two pandemic recovery bills signed into law
Proposed New Mexico broadband expansion takes shape
Governor signs pandemic recovery bill with $600 rebates
House endorses bill to aid utility customers
Revised business loan program on its way to governor
Pandemic relief bill on verge of enactment
Lawmakers get their shot at vaccine-related bill
Governor says she would veto emergency powers bills
$200M pandemic relief measure nears passage
Bill aims at additional protections for renters
House authorizes new pandemic relief grant program
Senate decisively approves pandemic relief package
Bill would help indebted utility customers
Pandemic recovery bills moving quickly at Roundhouse
Lawmakers weigh curbs on governor’s powers
Amid pandemic, Roundhouse adjusts to online work
Court rejects stay of House rules, wants quick response
House Republicans sue to override session rules
Relief bill with $600 tax rebates advances
NM legislators seek quick action on new pandemic aid package
House bill on changes to help renters OK’d
Two pandemic recovery bills signed into law
Proposed New Mexico broadband expansion takes shape
Governor signs pandemic recovery bill with $600 rebates
House endorses bill to aid utility customers
Revised business loan program on its way to governor
Pandemic relief bill on verge of enactment
Lawmakers get their shot at vaccine-related bill
Governor says she would veto emergency powers bills
$200M pandemic relief measure nears passage
Bill aims at additional protections for renters
House authorizes new pandemic relief grant program
Senate decisively approves pandemic relief package
Bill would help indebted utility customers
Pandemic recovery bills moving quickly at Roundhouse
Lawmakers weigh curbs on governor’s powers
Amid pandemic, Roundhouse adjusts to online work
Court rejects stay of House rules, wants quick response
House Republicans sue to override session rules
Relief bill with $600 tax rebates advances
NM legislators seek quick action on new pandemic aid package
Chambers
Childhood & Education
Bills on governor’s desk encourage longer school year
Proposed childhood amendment clears Senate in landmark vote
Senate to consider extra 1.25% from permanent fund
House passes bill to allow compensation for NM college athletes
Early childhood amendment faces skepticism
Speaker optimistic about revising Impact Aid for schools
Foster care bill blocked by House panel
Senate inches toward permanent fund vote
NM weighs bill loosening compensation rules for college athletes
House approves bill to limit school expulsion
Senate passes bill boosting ERB pension fund
Student athlete endorsement bill approved by Senate
House OKs early childhood amendment
Legislators question secretaries of education, HSD
House panel amends early childhood proposal
Education pension bill advances in Senate
Gov: Schools can reopen Feb. 8
Lawmakers push to give school boards opening authority
Education fuels rise of Mimi Stewart
PED requesting ‘near-flat’ $3.3 billion budget for schools next year
Early childhood amendment may find more receptive Senate
Proposed childhood amendment clears Senate in landmark vote
Senate to consider extra 1.25% from permanent fund
House passes bill to allow compensation for NM college athletes
Early childhood amendment faces skepticism
Speaker optimistic about revising Impact Aid for schools
Foster care bill blocked by House panel
Senate inches toward permanent fund vote
NM weighs bill loosening compensation rules for college athletes
House approves bill to limit school expulsion
Senate passes bill boosting ERB pension fund
Student athlete endorsement bill approved by Senate
House OKs early childhood amendment
Legislators question secretaries of education, HSD
House panel amends early childhood proposal
Education pension bill advances in Senate
Gov: Schools can reopen Feb. 8
Lawmakers push to give school boards opening authority
Education fuels rise of Mimi Stewart
PED requesting ‘near-flat’ $3.3 billion budget for schools next year
Early childhood amendment may find more receptive Senate
Crime & Enforcement
Governor vetoes water fee hike, OKs breaks for young offenders
Senate passes NM civil rights legislation
NM lawmakers weigh prohibition on ‘queer panic defense’
NM civil rights bill advances to full Senate
Senate to vote on juvenile sentences bill
Measure for sentencing flexibility moves to Senate
House passes human trafficking legislation
Senate advances bill on threats to public officials
House endorses NM Civil Rights Act
Bill would require disclosure of misconduct
Panel OKs corrections transparency bill
Potential cost of ban on private prisons draws fire
Union leader: Police under ‘attack’ by lawmakers
Bills would ban 3D-printed guns, revise red flag law
Omaree case cited in debate over rights act
Bill targets ‘pay to play’ judiciary perceptions
Legislators to weigh amended proposal for NM civil rights law
Bill would set statewide use-of-force standard
Taxpayer impact of civil rights bill sparks debate
Bill to outlaw use of private prisons advances
NM civil rights law passes first hearing
NM Civil Rights Act recommended
Proposed NM Civil Rights Act could be costly, legislators told
Senate passes NM civil rights legislation
NM lawmakers weigh prohibition on ‘queer panic defense’
NM civil rights bill advances to full Senate
Senate to vote on juvenile sentences bill
Measure for sentencing flexibility moves to Senate
House passes human trafficking legislation
Senate advances bill on threats to public officials
House endorses NM Civil Rights Act
Bill would require disclosure of misconduct
Panel OKs corrections transparency bill
Potential cost of ban on private prisons draws fire
Union leader: Police under ‘attack’ by lawmakers
Bills would ban 3D-printed guns, revise red flag law
Omaree case cited in debate over rights act
Bill targets ‘pay to play’ judiciary perceptions
Legislators to weigh amended proposal for NM civil rights law
Bill would set statewide use-of-force standard
Taxpayer impact of civil rights bill sparks debate
Bill to outlaw use of private prisons advances
NM civil rights law passes first hearing
NM Civil Rights Act recommended
Proposed NM Civil Rights Act could be costly, legislators told
Legislative Overview
Budget & Taxes
Economic development discussion gets new life
Budget earmarks federal stimulus funds
Details murky on funds to shore up NM unemployment program
Budget bill on its way to Lujan Grisham
Loan interest rate cap bill falls short of finish line
Pared-back tax package headed to governor’s desk
Corporate, high-income levies stripped from tax package
Sick leave, tax bills among many left before Saturday adjournment
House sends revised loan bill back to Senate
Lawmakers approve $518M capital plan
Senate OKs capital outlay disclosure bill
Budget bill takes shape as session nears end
Loan interest rate cap bill advances at Capitol
Reshaped tax package advances in Senate
Capital transparency measure advances in Senate
Hefty tax package is facing a makeover in Senate
Senate panel unveils changes to $7.4B budget plan
House passes sweeping tax changes, hike for top earners
Senate approves bill lowering NM loan interest rate cap
Bill would give low-wage workers bigger tax breaks
House passes budget on bipartisan 60-10 vote
Paid leave, minimum wage hike supporters will press on
House panel unanimously approves $7.4 billion budget plan
Outlook improving for NM revenue
Bill to reduce NM small-loan interest rate cap advances
Tax panel in House passes liquor law changes
Capital transparency measure passes House 65-1
Bill to reduce NM small-loan interest rate cap advances
NM tourism officials make case for $25M funding boost
House panel backs Social Security tax cut
Paid leave bills hit speed bump at Roundhouse
House to weigh transparency for NM capital projects
NM pension fund director leaving for legislative budget job
NM public bank proposal gains momentum
Spending deadlines proposed for NM capital outlay funds
Liquor overhaul bill would allow home delivery
Teacher, state worker pay hikes in legislators’ plan
Lujan Grisham proposes $7.3 billion spending plan
Tax changes weighed to ease revenue volatility
Budget earmarks federal stimulus funds
Details murky on funds to shore up NM unemployment program
Budget bill on its way to Lujan Grisham
Loan interest rate cap bill falls short of finish line
Pared-back tax package headed to governor’s desk
Corporate, high-income levies stripped from tax package
Sick leave, tax bills among many left before Saturday adjournment
House sends revised loan bill back to Senate
Lawmakers approve $518M capital plan
Senate OKs capital outlay disclosure bill
Budget bill takes shape as session nears end
Loan interest rate cap bill advances at Capitol
Reshaped tax package advances in Senate
Capital transparency measure advances in Senate
Hefty tax package is facing a makeover in Senate
Senate panel unveils changes to $7.4B budget plan
House passes sweeping tax changes, hike for top earners
Senate approves bill lowering NM loan interest rate cap
Bill would give low-wage workers bigger tax breaks
House passes budget on bipartisan 60-10 vote
Paid leave, minimum wage hike supporters will press on
House panel unanimously approves $7.4 billion budget plan
Outlook improving for NM revenue
Bill to reduce NM small-loan interest rate cap advances
Tax panel in House passes liquor law changes
Capital transparency measure passes House 65-1
Bill to reduce NM small-loan interest rate cap advances
NM tourism officials make case for $25M funding boost
House panel backs Social Security tax cut
Paid leave bills hit speed bump at Roundhouse
House to weigh transparency for NM capital projects
NM pension fund director leaving for legislative budget job
NM public bank proposal gains momentum
Spending deadlines proposed for NM capital outlay funds
Liquor overhaul bill would allow home delivery
Teacher, state worker pay hikes in legislators’ plan
Lujan Grisham proposes $7.3 billion spending plan
Tax changes weighed to ease revenue volatility
Roundhouse Insider
GOP Whip Montoya blasts ‘race-baiting’ in session
Speaker: NM may continue accepting online comment
Ethics panel dismisses part of complaints against Egolf
Sick leave approved, legal pot dies as NM session ends
Legislature 2021: What they did
House sends bipartisan redistricting bill to Senate
Allegations of ‘bullying’ fill session’s final hours
Paid sick leave bill passes Senate amid turmoil
Lujan Grisham signs overhaul of NM liquor laws
Proposal to change NM session lengths gaining momentum
Paid sick leave bill modified to include government workers
Costs to fortify New Mexico Statehouse: $700,000
State Sen. Mark Moores enters congressional race
NM lawmakers reject daylight saving proposal
Senate panel votes to cut fees for public records
Proposal strives to close urban-rural divide
Paid sick leave bill advances to Senate floor
House blocks move to pull NM redistricting out of committee
Lawmakers OK sweeping overhaul of NM liquor laws
Longtime Rep. Ed Sandoval remembered as ‘faithful public servant’
House endorses break on liquor license fees
First confirmed virus case at Capitol since Feb. 1
Egolf denounces ‘veiled threats’ on civil rights bill
Lobbyists still picking up the tab
Egolf’s firm specializes in suing government entities
Black leaders assail ‘overtly racist conduct’ by lawmakers
Halfway home: Lawmakers hit crucial stretch
Ethics complaint accuses speaker of conflict
Black cabinet nominee faces racial scrutiny
NM Supreme Court rejects House GOP rules challenge
Roswell legislator changes affiliation after abortion vote
Court rejects stay of House rules, wants quick response
Counties could secede from state under long-shot proposal
House Republicans sue to override session rules
Roundhouse COVID cases prompt scrutiny, raise questions
Governor opposes proposal to scrap ‘pocket veto’
NM House approves plan for virtual session
The ‘COVID cohort’ joins Capitol
New Senate leader says deals did not drive committee decisions
NM lawmakers pause floor sessions for the week
Muñoz takes reins of Senate Finance Committee
Session begins amid security, health restrictions
Mimi Stewart wins election to top NM Senate post
Checkpoints, new rules await lawmakers as session nears
Stewart wins nomination for top NM Senate post
NM Senate Republicans elect Baca to top post
Speaker: NM may continue accepting online comment
Ethics panel dismisses part of complaints against Egolf
Sick leave approved, legal pot dies as NM session ends
Legislature 2021: What they did
House sends bipartisan redistricting bill to Senate
Allegations of ‘bullying’ fill session’s final hours
Paid sick leave bill passes Senate amid turmoil
Lujan Grisham signs overhaul of NM liquor laws
Proposal to change NM session lengths gaining momentum
Paid sick leave bill modified to include government workers
Costs to fortify New Mexico Statehouse: $700,000
State Sen. Mark Moores enters congressional race
NM lawmakers reject daylight saving proposal
Senate panel votes to cut fees for public records
Proposal strives to close urban-rural divide
Paid sick leave bill advances to Senate floor
House blocks move to pull NM redistricting out of committee
Lawmakers OK sweeping overhaul of NM liquor laws
Longtime Rep. Ed Sandoval remembered as ‘faithful public servant’
House endorses break on liquor license fees
First confirmed virus case at Capitol since Feb. 1
Egolf denounces ‘veiled threats’ on civil rights bill
Lobbyists still picking up the tab
Egolf’s firm specializes in suing government entities
Black leaders assail ‘overtly racist conduct’ by lawmakers
Halfway home: Lawmakers hit crucial stretch
Ethics complaint accuses speaker of conflict
Black cabinet nominee faces racial scrutiny
NM Supreme Court rejects House GOP rules challenge
Roswell legislator changes affiliation after abortion vote
Court rejects stay of House rules, wants quick response
Counties could secede from state under long-shot proposal
House Republicans sue to override session rules
Roundhouse COVID cases prompt scrutiny, raise questions
Governor opposes proposal to scrap ‘pocket veto’
NM House approves plan for virtual session
The ‘COVID cohort’ joins Capitol
New Senate leader says deals did not drive committee decisions
NM lawmakers pause floor sessions for the week
Muñoz takes reins of Senate Finance Committee
Session begins amid security, health restrictions
Mimi Stewart wins election to top NM Senate post
Checkpoints, new rules await lawmakers as session nears
Stewart wins nomination for top NM Senate post
NM Senate Republicans elect Baca to top post
House District Maps
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Senate District Maps
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Energy & Environment
Governor vetoes water fee hike, OKs breaks for young offenders
Trapping ban on public land awaits governor’s signature
New Mexico trapping ban passes House by just one vote
NM Senate passes environmental protection bill
Trapping bill faces challenges in House
NM Senate approves trapping ban
NM Senate passes bill to create energy task force
Solar energy powers up EOG oil and gas operations
Bill to alter ETA tabled in committee
Agencies seek funds to boost climate programs, fill jobs
Environmental lawsuits bill draws criticism
Wastewater bill makes waves in Senate
House panel OKs $3.5M for 111 weather stations
NM impact of federal climate change orders scrutinized
Prescribed burning legislation advances in House
Bill aims for ‘just transition’ to green economy
Lawmakers debate energy act – again
Dogs caught in traps rekindle debate in NM
Report outlines state climate goals
Trapping ban on public land awaits governor’s signature
New Mexico trapping ban passes House by just one vote
NM Senate passes environmental protection bill
Trapping bill faces challenges in House
NM Senate approves trapping ban
NM Senate passes bill to create energy task force
Solar energy powers up EOG oil and gas operations
Bill to alter ETA tabled in committee
Agencies seek funds to boost climate programs, fill jobs
Environmental lawsuits bill draws criticism
Wastewater bill makes waves in Senate
House panel OKs $3.5M for 111 weather stations
NM impact of federal climate change orders scrutinized
Prescribed burning legislation advances in House
Bill aims for ‘just transition’ to green economy
Lawmakers debate energy act – again
Dogs caught in traps rekindle debate in NM
Report outlines state climate goals
Health & Family
Medical malpractice changes signed into law
Bill on medical debt awaits governor’s action
Health insurance tax resurfaces in amended bill
Senate endorses revised medical malpractice bill
Medical malpractice compromise heads to Senate floor
Senate adopts aid-in-dying measure
Medical malpractice proposal under negotiation
Aid-in-dying legislation heads to full Senate
House OKs health insurance tax boost
Medical malpractice overhaul advances in Senate
Legislators push to revise child support laws
Overhaul of medical malpractice law debated
Governor signs bill repealing abortion ban
Senate confirms Department of Health secretary 38-1
House passes aid-in-dying legislation
Lawmakers send abortion-rights bill to Lujan Grisham
House passes medical malpractice law
Right to refuse is a key issue in abortion debate
Senate passes bill to repeal NM’s abortion ban
Bid to boost oversight of child welfare cases gains
Bill targeting NM abortion law advances to Senate floor
Aid-in-dying bill advances in House
Effort to repeal NM abortion ban advances
Changing court, Legislature set stage for NM abortion clash
NM lawmakers prepare bill on hair discrimination
State lawmakers get behind paid leave
Bill on medical debt awaits governor’s action
Health insurance tax resurfaces in amended bill
Senate endorses revised medical malpractice bill
Medical malpractice compromise heads to Senate floor
Senate adopts aid-in-dying measure
Medical malpractice proposal under negotiation
Aid-in-dying legislation heads to full Senate
House OKs health insurance tax boost
Medical malpractice overhaul advances in Senate
Legislators push to revise child support laws
Overhaul of medical malpractice law debated
Governor signs bill repealing abortion ban
Senate confirms Department of Health secretary 38-1
House passes aid-in-dying legislation
Lawmakers send abortion-rights bill to Lujan Grisham
House passes medical malpractice law
Right to refuse is a key issue in abortion debate
Senate passes bill to repeal NM’s abortion ban
Bid to boost oversight of child welfare cases gains
Bill targeting NM abortion law advances to Senate floor
Aid-in-dying bill advances in House
Effort to repeal NM abortion ban advances
Changing court, Legislature set stage for NM abortion clash
NM lawmakers prepare bill on hair discrimination
State lawmakers get behind paid leave
Key Dates
Jan. 19: Opening day (noon)
Feb. 18: Deadline for bill introduction
March 20: Session ends (noon)
March 30: Special session begins (no set length)
April 9: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
June 18: Effective date of legislation not carrying an emergency clause or other specified date
Feb. 18: Deadline for bill introduction
March 20: Session ends (noon)
March 30: Special session begins (no set length)
April 9: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
June 18: Effective date of legislation not carrying an emergency clause or other specified date
Resources
Our team
Dan Boyd, pictured left in 2018, 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.
