Senate approves road funding, medical compact bills to wrap up busy first week of session

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate approved bills targeted at the state's aging highway system and a statewide doctor shortage on Friday, wrapping up a busy first week of the 30-day legislative session.

In a burst of bipartisan action, senators voted 40-0 to approve a bill aimed at New Mexico joining an interstate medical compact and voted 31-9 to pass a $1.5 billion road bonding bill that would also increase vehicle registration fees and impose a new fee on electric vehicles.

The two bills, along with two other measures approved Friday, now advance to the state House for consideration.

Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, described the rapid approval of the bills as significant.

"I've been here for 17 years — this is one of the proudest moments of the Legislature when we get big stuff done early that really affects New Mexicans," Muñoz said.

In addition, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham touted the approval of the bills as an "important early win" in this year's session.

"Hopefully, the House will consider these bills without delay and send them to my desk so I can sign them into law for the benefit of all New Mexicans," Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Top-ranking Democratic lawmakers had vowed to move the bills quickly during this year's session, citing previous debate on the issues and the efforts of a bipartisan working group on the medical compact legislation.

Sen. Rex Wilson, R-Ancho, a former health care executive, said joining the medical compact for physicians would improve health care delivery in New Mexico and streamline the process for applying for a license to practice in the state.

"It sends a great message to the citizens of this state that this body is willing to listen and be responsive," said Wilson, who was appointed by Lujan Grisham this month to fill a vacancy in the Senate.

If approved, New Mexico would become the 45th state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. All five of the state's neighboring states are already members.

The compact's executive director, Marschall Smith, said this week he looks forward to New Mexico joining the interstate group. 

Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, one of the sponsors of the legislation, Senate Bill 1, said joining the compact would make it easier for state residents to get an appointment with medical specialists.

She also grew emotional when describing her own repeated travels to Phoenix to meet with doctors about her husband's cancer treatments.

As for the road funding bill, five Republican senators joined with the chamber's Democratic members in casting "yes" votes. Nine GOP senators voted in opposition.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2, would authorize the state Department of Transportation to authorize up to $1.5 billion in bonds to help pay for a backlog of road construction and maintenance projects around New Mexico.

It would also generate an estimated $70 million in the coming fiscal year by increasing the tax rate for commercial truckers in New Mexico, increasing the vehicle registration fees and imposing a new $35 annual fee on electric vehicles registered in the state. But it would not increase the state's 17-cent-per-gallon gas tax rate, which has not been changed since the 1990s.

A recent report from a national group found that driving on deficient roads costs each driver in Albuquerque an estimated $3,061 per year. That figure was calculated based on the estimated costs of vehicle repairs from driving on rough roads, wasted fuel due to traffic congestion and car crashes.

With the cost of road construction steadily increasing, Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview, said it was imperative that lawmakers establish a steady funding stream for maintenance efforts.

"We've got to figure out a way to build more roads and better roads," Woods said during Friday's debate. "Each one of us has potholes galore."

However, several other Republicans said they viewed the measure as a tax increase, with Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, arguing it would undercut legislators' stated focus on affordability.

"You're actually making it worse with this bill," Block said.

The other two bills approved Friday included the annual "feed" bill to cover session expenses and a bill clarifying the process for court-ordered mental health treatment.

That bill, Senate Bill 3, passed via a 37-3 vote with three Democratic senators casting dissenting votes — Linda Lopez of Albuquerque, Harold Pope Jr. of Albuquerque and Shannon Pinto of Tohatchi.

A similar bill passed the Senate last year, but ended up stalling in the House.

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com.