Today at the Roundhouse, March 18, & recap

It’s the last week of the 60-day legislative session and hundreds of bills are still in limbo at the Roundhouse. All bills not approved by both the House and Senate by the time the session ends Saturday at noon are officially dead. Here’s a key bill to watch out for on Tuesday, March 18, and a recap of Monday.

Tax package remodel: A House-approved bill that would tie an expanded working families tax credit to an increased oil tax is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee. The bill, House Bill 14, was approved Saturday by the House. But it’s typical for tax bills to be amended in the Senate after being crafted in the House.

Monday recap

Psilocybin: A bill creating a state-run psilocybin program for New Mexicans with certain diagnosed medical conditions passed its first — and only — assigned House committee. The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 8-1 to advance the legislation, Senate Bill 219, which passed the Senate last week.

Cybersecurity: The Senate passed Senate Bill 254, which would require the state’s Cybersecurity Office to develop minimum cybersecurity protections for state-operated or state-owned telecommunications networks. It heads to the House now.

Bobby’s bolo battle: Senators all around were styling on Saturday, vying to win a bolo tie contest put on by Sen. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Ranchos de Taos. At the end of the day, Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, pulled in the win with a tiger bolo, presumably representing the Gallup High School tigers.

Where the bills stand

HB14: Passed House. Awaiting hearing in Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.

SB219: Passed House Health and Human Services Committee. Now heads to House floor, then would advance to governor’s desk.

SB254: Passed Senate. Awaiting House committee assignments, then must pass House committees and House floor in order to advance to governor’s desk.