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New Mexico Legislature

Latest from the New Mexico Legislature

  • Who has an agenda?

    Dan Boyd

    For years, the New Mexico Constitution has limited the scope of 30-day sessions to budget-related bills and those authorized for consideration by the governor.

    But that could change under a bipartisan proposal that passed the House on a 59-3 vote on Tuesday.

    The measure, House Joint Resolution 7, would allow all bills to be considered in 30-day sessions, which take place in even-numbered years.

    That would make the shorter sessions similar to the 60-day sessions held in odd-numbered years that do not have any limitations on which type of bills can be discussed.

    "This is not a partisan issue, this is a pro-Legislature issue," said Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, during Tuesday's debate.

    "We should control our own agendas," he added.

    The measure, which would have to be approved by statewide voters in November in order to take effect, now advances to the Senate for consideration.

  • House holds hoops bragging rights

    Dan Boyd
    Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, shows off a trophy on the Senate floor Friday after the House defeated the Senate by a 37-27 score the previous night in the annual Hoops 4 Hope legislative basketball game. The game was held at Santa Fe Indian School on Thursday and raised money for the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.

  • HB 9 passes the Senate, heads to Governor's desk

    Gillian Barkhurst

    After hours of debate, House Bill 9 passed the Senate on a near party line vote of 24-15.

    The bill could close immigration detention centers in New Mexico in Torrance, Cibola and Otero counties.

    The bill now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. The Governor's office told the Journal today that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supports and will sign the bill.

    Immigrant right's advocates in the Senate gallery cheered after the vote.

    "We are living in a dangerous national moment," said Sen. Cindy Nava, D-Bernalillo. "Rhetoric has escalated into threats. Threats have escalated into violence and what happened elsewhere is not so distant to us."

  • Compensatory amendment shot down on HB 9

    Gillian Barkhurst

    An amendment that would have compensated Otero, Torrance and Cibola counties for lost tax revenue as a result of immigrant detention facilities closing, was narrowly shot down by a 20-19 vote.

    Before the vote, some lawmakers representing the affected counties pleaded with the Senate to step in and provide economic relief.

    “Dignity should never be compromised for revenue,” said Sen. Angel Charley, D- Acoma. “Justice should never be traded for economic survival…We can take a moral stand and still do right by the people who will feel the impact the most — Cibola County has already given more than its share.”

    Debate is ongoing on the Senate floor, which has been open for more than 4 hours.

  • Senate Republicans talkative ahead of controversial bill, deny intentional filibuster

    Gillian Barkhurst

    The New Mexico Senate spent nearly three hours on announcements ahead of a divisive bill that could shut immigrant detention centers in New Mexico.

    Republican lawmakers have vocally opposed the bill, though they don't have the numbers to stop the proposed legislation's advancement in either chamber.

    A series of back-to-back monologues by Republican Senators about unrelated subjects from riding horses to Black History Month lasted more than two hours.

    When asked if the speeches were an unofficial filibuster, New Mexico Senate Republican spokesperson Brandon Harris denied that Republicans were attempting to run the clock, saying that Republicans were simply "highlighting priorities."

At a glance — photos from the 2026 session

Robney Archuleta and members of the Archuleta family, from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, dance and present the colors during the opening of the floor session in the Senate chambers Friday. The event was part of the 39th annual American Indian Day at the Legislature, which filled the Roundhouse with members of tribes and pueblos from across the state. The celebration included a rally in the Rotunda where Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and tribal governors spoke.
A couple hundred people gathered outside the Roundhouse to take part in a rally for Public Lands Day at the Legislature, Friday, February 6, 2026. Both U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez spoke at the event.
Gilbert Martinez, from Santa Fe, takes part in the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Over 300 people attended the event that included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol. After the rally several people walked the hall of the State Capitol and talked to legislators.
Allen Sánchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops and others pray during the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The event included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol.
Archbishop John C. Wester, left, with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Bishop Peter Baldacchino, center, with the Diocese of Las Cruces, and Bishop James S. Wall, third from right, with the Diocese of Gallup, take part in the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The event included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol. After the rally participants walked the hall of the Roundhouse to talk to legislators.
Samantha Shorty, 17, left, and Nellanei Kee, 18, both from Shiprock, wonder around the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They were among hundreds of students visiting the Roundhouse on FFA Day at the Legislature. The students held a rally, wondered halls and visited with representatives. Several were recongnized in the House and Senate chambers.
Naomi Celote, 13, and other dancers from the National Dance Institute, in Santa Fe, perform on the House Floor, at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The group also performed in the Senate Chambers.
Olga Grays, a daycare worker from Las Cruces, holds her 9 month old grandson Elias Rizo, during a news conference of healthcare at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Abuko Estrada, with NMCLP, takes part in a news conference of healthcare at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Olga Grays, a daycare worker from Las Cruces, holds her 9 month old grandson Elias Rizo, during rally supporting legislation for children, including universal daycare, at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Grays also attended a news conference on healthcare while at the State Capitol.
Rhett Smith, left, 15, and Rio Rigoni, 14, both from Roy, wait to be introduced on the House Floor Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They were among hundreds of agriculture students visiting the Roundhouse on FFA Day at the Legislature. The students held a rally, wondered halls and visited with representatives.
Kayla Lyall, and others with the National Institute of Flamenco, perform in the Rotunda of the State Capitol, Monday, January 26, 2026. They and other were there to take part in Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Day at the Legislature.
Senator Phil Griego, D-San Jose, talks with other Senate members during the start of the special session of the New Mexico Legislature, September 5, 2001.
Rep. Nicole Chavez, R-Albuquerque, holds her grandaughter Adelina Uriate, 9 months, during the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Jarelli Ruiz, left, 15, and members of a mariachi band from Artisco Heritage High School, perform on the House Floor during the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Newly appointed Sen. Rex Wilson, R-Ancho, left, talks with Sen Min. Whip John "Pat" Woods, R-Broadview, before the start of the legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, center, greets House Maj. Leader Reena Szczepanski as the Senate enters the House Chambers to hear Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview, left, and Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, listen to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham deliver her final State of the State address on Tuesday.
Jolie hughes, center, and several hundred people representing 25 different groups, marched from the Santa Fe Plaza to the Roundhouse on the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham greets her brother Greg Lujan as she enters the House chambers to give her final State of the State address to New Mexico lawmakers on Tuesday. The governor's speech included a call for bipartisanship and an appeal to legislators to act on bills related to health care, crime and the environment during this year's 30-day session.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, right, takes a selfie with Reps. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, left, and Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, as she leaves the House chambers after giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday. The governor delivered her speech on the opening day of a 30-day legislative session.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
House Min. Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, second from left, and other Republican legislators, sit quietly as others applaud Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for suggesting an assault weapons ban during her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, hugs Patricia Aguirre, from Las Cruces, as she leaves the House Chambers after giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
House Min. Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, and other Representatives get ready for the start of a special session of the New Mexico Legislature, in Santa Fe, Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
From left, Robert Chavez, Kayla Stuhlmann and Leo Gonzales, all work with IT for the Legislative Council Service, work on issues with the web casting in the House Chambers, Friday, January 16, 2026. Dozens of people were busy getting ready for the start of the 2026 legislative session on Tuesday.
Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, delivers the Republican response to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's State of the State address on Tuesday, as other Senate Republicans look on. Some GOP legislators expressed support for parts of Lujan Grisham's agenda, while expressing opposition to her universal child care initiative.
Newly appointed Sen. Rex Wilson, R-Ancho, gets setted in before the start of the legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Anna Quintana, a deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, works in the House Chambers on Friday. Dozens of people were busy getting ready for the start of the 2026 legislative session on Tuesday.
Lt. Governor Howie Morales takes part in the Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other officials spoke at the event. The halls of the Rotunda were filed with exhibits by the different military services.
Van Romero, a tenured professor of physics at New Mexico Tech, breaks a concrete block on the chest of the school's president Mike Jackson, who is lying on a bed of nails, in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Thursday, January 29, 2026. This was part of New Mexico Tech at the Legislature and included several demonstrations on robotics, biology, mining and other STEM focus programs.
Luciano Chavarria, from Albuquerque, and with Project Feed the Hood, marches with over 200 people during a rally for Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Acequia Day at the Legislature, Monday, February 2, 2026.
Travis McKenzie, with Polk Middle School in Albuquerque, takes part in a march and rally for Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Acequia Day at the Legislature, Monday, February 2, 2026. Over 200 people took part in the annual Acequia Day march around the Roundhouse.
Paula Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, leads a march and rally for Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Acequia Day at the Legislature, Monday, February 2, 2026. Over 200 people took part in the annual Acequia Day march around the Roundhouse.
Paula Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, leads a march and rally for Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Acequia Day at the Legislature, Monday, February 2, 2026. Over 200 people took part in the annual Acequia Day march around the Roundhouse.
Vietnam Veteran Avelino Calabaza, center, from Santa Domingo Pueblo, along with Gold Star Mothers Joyce Paulsen, left, from Albuquerque, who lost her son in 2016, and Becky Christmas, from Wagon Mound, who lost her son in 2004, take part in the Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other officials spoke at the event. The halls of the Rotunda were filed with exhibits by the different military services.
Lt. Governor Howie Morales takes part in the Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other officials spoke at the event. The halls of the Rotunda were filed with exhibits by the different military services.
Rabbi Berel Levertov, center, with the Santa Fe Jewish Center - Chabad, debates with Beth Goldmen, left, and Lori Rudolph, both with Jewish Voice for Peace, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Levertov was at the Roundhouse for a celebration of Jewish Community Day at the Legislature and Jewish Voice for Peace were there to protest for the end to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Protests and rally continue as the 2026 Legislature reaches the halfway mark.
Kenisha Levato, 7, from Dulce, takes part in the 39th annual American Indian Day at the Legislature, Friday, February 6, 2026. The Roundhouse was full of Native American people from pueblos and tribes around the state. The celebration included a rally in the Rotunda where Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and tribal governors spoke.
Summer Archuleta, 7, and members of the Archuleta family, from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, dance and present the colors during the opening of the floor session, in the Senate Chambers, Friday February 6, 2026. This was part of the 39th annual American Indian Day at the Legislature, Friday, February 6, 2026. The Roundhouse was full of Native American people from pueblos and tribes around the state. The celebration included a rally in the Rotunda where Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and tribal governors spoke.
Regina Griego, center, from Albuquerque, who has lost 5 members of her family to gun violence and Christina Gill, from Santa Fe, who lost her son the gun violence in 2021, applaud speakers durng a rally in support of SB 17, a bill to stop illegal gun trade and ban certain types of automatic weapons. Nearly 75 people with Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action attended the rally in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, gloats about the House beating the Senate once against in the annual Hoops 4 Hope Legislative Basketball game. This was during the Senate Floor session, Friday, February 6, 2026. The annual House and Senate basketball game was held at Santa Fe indian School Thursday evening.
Vietnam Veteran Avelino Calabaza, center, from Santa Domingo Pueblo, along with Gold Star Mothers Joyce Paulsen, left, from Albuquerque, who lost her son in 2016, and Becky Christmas, from Wagon Mound, who lost her son in 2004, take part in the Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other officials spoke at the event. The halls of the Rotunda were filed with exhibits by the different military services.
Santa Fe County Commissioner Hank Hughes speaks in favor of the Clear Horizons bill to the Senate Conservation Committee, in the Senate Chambers, Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Headlines from the 2026 session

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