LEGISLATURE 2019
Latest News
Community solar legislation passes House
Contraception bill passes the House
Pollster: NM a ‘welcoming community’ for immigrants
Senate OKs medical cannabis at schools
Dems promote hemp as part of economic plan
House panel OKs 10% bump in state spending
Haaland touts renewable energy in Roundhouse speech
Legislation threatens day care providers
Senator says she’s not clowning around
Teens make a case for gun security measure
Contraception bill passes the House
Pollster: NM a ‘welcoming community’ for immigrants
Senate OKs medical cannabis at schools
Dems promote hemp as part of economic plan
House panel OKs 10% bump in state spending
Haaland touts renewable energy in Roundhouse speech
Legislation threatens day care providers
Senator says she’s not clowning around
Teens make a case for gun security measure
Impact Aid back on school funding agenda
NM permanent fund plan clears House
Openness advocates blast ethics panel bill
Proposal to boost oil, gas royalty rates is tabled
Economists warn about reliance on oil and gas
Bipartisan backing for marijuana legalization
Senate votes to support online filings for businesses
House proposal would regulate hemp production
Bill would open records of UNM Foundation
Senate OKs expanded background checks
NM permanent fund plan clears House
Openness advocates blast ethics panel bill
Proposal to boost oil, gas royalty rates is tabled
Economists warn about reliance on oil and gas
Bipartisan backing for marijuana legalization
Senate votes to support online filings for businesses
House proposal would regulate hemp production
Bill would open records of UNM Foundation
Senate OKs expanded background checks
Photos
Videos
Crime, Guns & Courts
Teens make a case for gun security measure
Senate OKs expanded background checks
House approves ‘red flag’ firearms bill
Chaos at the Capitol as House passes gun legislation
House, Senate to consider background-checks law
Florida official to oversee NM’s prison system
Senate to consider gun background-check bill
Gun bills advance at state Capitol
No guns allowed in House gallery during State of the State address
Senate OKs expanded background checks
House approves ‘red flag’ firearms bill
Chaos at the Capitol as House passes gun legislation
House, Senate to consider background-checks law
Florida official to oversee NM’s prison system
Senate to consider gun background-check bill
Gun bills advance at state Capitol
No guns allowed in House gallery during State of the State address
Judiciary seeks changes in laws
OMI seeks $1.4M for new X-ray scanner
Legislators prepare broad anti-crime package
Lawmakers aren’t eager to ditch private prisons in NM
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
Prosecutor: Caseload ‘out of control’
Lawmakers consider reviving vetoed criminal justice bills
NM courts seek constitutional amendment
OMI seeks $1.4M for new X-ray scanner
Legislators prepare broad anti-crime package
Lawmakers aren’t eager to ditch private prisons in NM
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
Prosecutor: Caseload ‘out of control’
Lawmakers consider reviving vetoed criminal justice bills
NM courts seek constitutional amendment
Budget, Taxes & Pensions
House panel OKs 10% bump in state spending
NM permanent fund plan clears House
Economists warn about reliance on oil and gas
Bill would boost legislators’ pension benefits
State income tax to go up for some families
Will governor’s support tip permanent fund debate?
Dem tax overhaul plan IDs new revenue streams
Tax overhaul proposal a concern for NM cities
Oil boom could mean $300M to $400M for roads
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
NM permanent fund plan clears House
Economists warn about reliance on oil and gas
Bill would boost legislators’ pension benefits
State income tax to go up for some families
Will governor’s support tip permanent fund debate?
Dem tax overhaul plan IDs new revenue streams
Tax overhaul proposal a concern for NM cities
Oil boom could mean $300M to $400M for roads
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
House bill would raise gasoline, income taxes
Lujan Grisham taps leaders for taxation, Indian affairs
Lujan Grisham seeks 38% boost in money to run office
NM gets largest share of oil, gas revenues in 9-state study
NM legislative panel rolls out $7 billion spending package
Lujan Grisham unveils $7.1 billion spending plan
Tax overhaul high on legislative list
PERA board proposes cuts in retiree benefits
Uncertainty over budget spurs debate
Economists urge restraint amid revenue boom in NM
Lujan Grisham taps leaders for taxation, Indian affairs
Lujan Grisham seeks 38% boost in money to run office
NM gets largest share of oil, gas revenues in 9-state study
NM legislative panel rolls out $7 billion spending package
Lujan Grisham unveils $7.1 billion spending plan
Tax overhaul high on legislative list
PERA board proposes cuts in retiree benefits
Uncertainty over budget spurs debate
Economists urge restraint amid revenue boom in NM
Roundhouse Insider
Pollster: NM a ‘welcoming community’ for immigrants
Measure would change length of sessions
Spay-neuter bill advances in Senate
Tension climbs as halfway point nears
Voter-registration bills head to House floor
NM weighs exemption from daylight saving
UNM leaders face tough questions over sports cuts
$50M endowment for rural libraries moves forward
Senate bill would streamline driver’s license approvals
Bill on animal harm clears House, moves to Senate
Bill to create Indigenous Peoples’ Day passes House on 50-12 vote
NM lawmakers establish Women’s Caucus
Governor, lawmakers propose new office to promote outdoors
Proposal would boost ballot access for independents
Torres Small pushes bipartisanship, cooperation
Governor signs off on ‘rocket docket’ bills
State rep. backs off bill to censor internet content
Popular vote legislation clears the House
Lawmakers highlight missing indigenous women
U.S. Rep. Luján stumps for NM voter registration bills
Bill’s message to lawmakers: Don’t meddle
Indigenous Peoples’ Day measure advances
Legislature’s off to a quick start
Measure to open primaries advances
UNM soccer players head to Roundhouse
Former state lawmaker ‘Kiki’ Saavedra dies
Men’s soccer reps invited to UNM Day at legislature
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
Immigration bill passes first test in Senate
Dem leaders move to save UNM sports
Democrats push several election proposals
Measure would change length of sessions
Spay-neuter bill advances in Senate
Tension climbs as halfway point nears
Voter-registration bills head to House floor
NM weighs exemption from daylight saving
UNM leaders face tough questions over sports cuts
$50M endowment for rural libraries moves forward
Senate bill would streamline driver’s license approvals
Bill on animal harm clears House, moves to Senate
Bill to create Indigenous Peoples’ Day passes House on 50-12 vote
NM lawmakers establish Women’s Caucus
Governor, lawmakers propose new office to promote outdoors
Proposal would boost ballot access for independents
Torres Small pushes bipartisanship, cooperation
Governor signs off on ‘rocket docket’ bills
State rep. backs off bill to censor internet content
Popular vote legislation clears the House
Lawmakers highlight missing indigenous women
U.S. Rep. Luján stumps for NM voter registration bills
Bill’s message to lawmakers: Don’t meddle
Indigenous Peoples’ Day measure advances
Legislature’s off to a quick start
Measure to open primaries advances
UNM soccer players head to Roundhouse
Former state lawmaker ‘Kiki’ Saavedra dies
Men’s soccer reps invited to UNM Day at legislature
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
Immigration bill passes first test in Senate
Dem leaders move to save UNM sports
Democrats push several election proposals
Udall ‘worried about our democracy’
Dunn questions impact of anti-wall legislation
‘Rocket docket’ zooms forward in committees – with a few bumps
New session, new faces in Roundhouse
GOP leaders object to ‘rocket docket’ before liftoff
‘Multitasking’ lieutenant governor blazing a new path
Shake-up in House committee chairs
ABQ gains influence on Senate Finance
Ramos appointed to NM Senate
Judge: Youngblood must test more often
House plans to limit pageantry during session
Youngblood set for probation violation hearing
‘Ready to begin the climb:’ Lujan Grisham sets ambitious agenda
Sedillo Lopez appointed to vacant Albuquerque Senate seat
Lujan Grisham seeks more options for Senate vacancy
Lawmakers pledge a session full of action
Teachers union leader sues over fall at Roundhouse
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham sworn in
Lawmakers prepare for spike in new bills
Women climb to historic levels in Legislature
Outcomes unchanged after recounts in three NM House districts
Legislator plans to ride bike to the Roundhouse
Steve Pearce elected NM Republican Party chair
New security measures adopted for legislative session
NM GOP leadership race jolted by Garcia Holmes endorsement
Legislator says harassment claim dismissal vindicates him
Republicans take sides in race for party chair
Leavell retires, creating vacancy in NM Senate
NM Republicans elect new leader
Progressive Democrats may not get all they want in session
Dunn questions impact of anti-wall legislation
‘Rocket docket’ zooms forward in committees – with a few bumps
New session, new faces in Roundhouse
GOP leaders object to ‘rocket docket’ before liftoff
‘Multitasking’ lieutenant governor blazing a new path
Shake-up in House committee chairs
ABQ gains influence on Senate Finance
Ramos appointed to NM Senate
Judge: Youngblood must test more often
House plans to limit pageantry during session
Youngblood set for probation violation hearing
‘Ready to begin the climb:’ Lujan Grisham sets ambitious agenda
Sedillo Lopez appointed to vacant Albuquerque Senate seat
Lujan Grisham seeks more options for Senate vacancy
Lawmakers pledge a session full of action
Teachers union leader sues over fall at Roundhouse
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham sworn in
Lawmakers prepare for spike in new bills
Women climb to historic levels in Legislature
Outcomes unchanged after recounts in three NM House districts
Legislator plans to ride bike to the Roundhouse
Steve Pearce elected NM Republican Party chair
New security measures adopted for legislative session
NM GOP leadership race jolted by Garcia Holmes endorsement
Legislator says harassment claim dismissal vindicates him
Republicans take sides in race for party chair
Leavell retires, creating vacancy in NM Senate
NM Republicans elect new leader
Progressive Democrats may not get all they want in session
Children & Education
Senate OKs medical cannabis at schools
Legislation threatens day care providers
Senator says she’s not clowning around
Impact Aid back on school funding agenda
Senate lottery scholarship bill clears second committee
Charter school leaders blast education bill
Don’t give up on kids, legislators told
Lottery scholarship bill clears Senate committee
AG pushes for expanded reporting of child abuse
Lawmakers debate upgrading pre-K
House approves bill on textbook funding
Education in ‘circus arts’ proposed in Senate
Panel approves ending A-F grades for schools
Stewart joins leadership of national education panel
Senate panel approves sweeping education bill
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
Ex-teacher, researcher to lead PED
Teacher leave bill wins House approval
Senate bill draws pushback on charter school cap
More cultural, language programs urged for schools
Districts onboard with a longer school year
Education lawsuit findings revealed
$10K bump in NM teacher pay proposed
State early childhood department proposed
$10K bump in NM teacher pay proposed
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
Legislation threatens day care providers
Senator says she’s not clowning around
Impact Aid back on school funding agenda
Senate lottery scholarship bill clears second committee
Charter school leaders blast education bill
Don’t give up on kids, legislators told
Lottery scholarship bill clears Senate committee
AG pushes for expanded reporting of child abuse
Lawmakers debate upgrading pre-K
House approves bill on textbook funding
Education in ‘circus arts’ proposed in Senate
Panel approves ending A-F grades for schools
Stewart joins leadership of national education panel
Senate panel approves sweeping education bill
Heinrich: Act on energy, education
Ex-teacher, researcher to lead PED
Teacher leave bill wins House approval
Senate bill draws pushback on charter school cap
More cultural, language programs urged for schools
Districts onboard with a longer school year
Education lawsuit findings revealed
$10K bump in NM teacher pay proposed
State early childhood department proposed
$10K bump in NM teacher pay proposed
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
Health & Family
Contraception bill passes the House
‘Aid-in-dying’ bill heads to the House floor
Gov. wants to scrap Medicaid copays
Diaper-changing bill gets clean approval in House panel
House passes abortion-rights bill
Abortion-rights bill heads to House floor
Committee passes ‘aid-in-dying’ bill
Abortion-rights bill one step closer to floor vote
Clergy assert support for abortion in letter
Doctors speak against ‘assisted suicide’ bill
Democrats target NM’s criminal abortion law
NM abortion law targeted for repeal
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
‘Aid-in-dying’ bill heads to the House floor
Gov. wants to scrap Medicaid copays
Diaper-changing bill gets clean approval in House panel
House passes abortion-rights bill
Abortion-rights bill heads to House floor
Committee passes ‘aid-in-dying’ bill
Abortion-rights bill one step closer to floor vote
Clergy assert support for abortion in letter
Doctors speak against ‘assisted suicide’ bill
Democrats target NM’s criminal abortion law
NM abortion law targeted for repeal
Mayor Keller outlines priorities for legislative session
Chambers
Business & Labor
Proposal to boost oil, gas royalty rates is tabled
Senate votes to support online filings for businesses
NM House passes wage increase
Bill that would freeze NM fracking permits gets pushback
Bills would offer paid leave for medical emergencies
Lujan Grisham not swayed by wage bill critics
Committee OKs wage bill despite tip outcry
Governor, actors push for film rebate bill
Senate panel passes bill that Tesla is pushing
Minimum wage bill draws fire from restaurant owners
Bill would ban local ‘right-to-work’ laws
Panel approves raising minimum wage to $10
NM gets largest share of oil, gas revenues in 9-state study
NM film industry excited about new momentum
Bill would boost consumer privacy
PERA board proposes cuts in retiree benefits
Senate votes to support online filings for businesses
NM House passes wage increase
Bill that would freeze NM fracking permits gets pushback
Bills would offer paid leave for medical emergencies
Lujan Grisham not swayed by wage bill critics
Committee OKs wage bill despite tip outcry
Governor, actors push for film rebate bill
Senate panel passes bill that Tesla is pushing
Minimum wage bill draws fire from restaurant owners
Bill would ban local ‘right-to-work’ laws
Panel approves raising minimum wage to $10
NM gets largest share of oil, gas revenues in 9-state study
NM film industry excited about new momentum
Bill would boost consumer privacy
PERA board proposes cuts in retiree benefits
Ethics & Transparency
Openness advocates blast ethics panel bill
Bill would open records of UNM Foundation
Campaign spending disclosure bill passes Senate via 36-6 vote
Ethics commission measure unveiled
Lobbyist disclosure bill clears first committee
Measure to boost transparency is tabled
Senate measure would allow higher fees for records
House backs transparency for capital funding
Bill would reveal the cost of a free lunch for lawmakers
Campaign finance overhaul clears hurdle
Bill targets state’s open records law
New Mexico lawmakers debate ethics secrecy
Bill would open records of UNM Foundation
Campaign spending disclosure bill passes Senate via 36-6 vote
Ethics commission measure unveiled
Lobbyist disclosure bill clears first committee
Measure to boost transparency is tabled
Senate measure would allow higher fees for records
House backs transparency for capital funding
Bill would reveal the cost of a free lunch for lawmakers
Campaign finance overhaul clears hurdle
Bill targets state’s open records law
New Mexico lawmakers debate ethics secrecy
Marijuana
Senate OKs medical cannabis at schools
Dems promote hemp as part of economic plan
Bipartisan backing for marijuana legalization
House proposal would regulate hemp production
Marijuana legalization advances in House
Bill to legalize recreational pot is introduced
Bill filed to allow medical cannabis at schools
Part 5: Legal pot or not? Passage hinges on a few Senate Dems
Part 4: Legal pot or not? Protecting NM’s medical marijuana industry
Part 3: Legal pot or not? Crime, drugged driving will be contentious
Part 2: Legal pot or not? Building a new industry
Part 1: Legal pot or not? A New Mexico debate
Full series: Legal pot or not?
Dems promote hemp as part of economic plan
Bipartisan backing for marijuana legalization
House proposal would regulate hemp production
Marijuana legalization advances in House
Bill to legalize recreational pot is introduced
Bill filed to allow medical cannabis at schools
Part 5: Legal pot or not? Passage hinges on a few Senate Dems
Part 4: Legal pot or not? Protecting NM’s medical marijuana industry
Part 3: Legal pot or not? Crime, drugged driving will be contentious
Part 2: Legal pot or not? Building a new industry
Part 1: Legal pot or not? A New Mexico debate
Full series: Legal pot or not?
Environment & Water
Community solar legislation passes House
Haaland touts renewable energy in Roundhouse speech
Bill to help create new NM wilderness areas
Ban on coyote-killing contests advances
Environmentalists call to ban wolf trapping
Measure would ban trapping
Bill calls for carbon-free electricity in NM by 2045
Business interests fighting environmental review bill
Bill that would freeze NM fracking permits gets pushback
NM to join 18 states in climate change coalition
Bill would bar border wall from state land
Proposal calls for revamping key New Mexico water commission
Bill to prohibit public land trapping planned
Haaland touts renewable energy in Roundhouse speech
Bill to help create new NM wilderness areas
Ban on coyote-killing contests advances
Environmentalists call to ban wolf trapping
Measure would ban trapping
Bill calls for carbon-free electricity in NM by 2045
Business interests fighting environmental review bill
Bill that would freeze NM fracking permits gets pushback
NM to join 18 states in climate change coalition
Bill would bar border wall from state land
Proposal calls for revamping key New Mexico water commission
Bill to prohibit public land trapping planned
Resources
Search for a bill
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
Dec 17 – Legislation may be prefiled
Jan 15 – Opening day (noon)
Feb 14 – Deadline for introduction
Mar 16 – Session ends (noon)
Apr 05 – Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
Jun 14 – Effective date of legislation not a general appropriation bill or a bill carrying an emergency clause or other specified date
Legislative Overview
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, the Journal’s Digital Editor, runs this page.