Today at the Roundhouse, March 19, & recap

The end is in sight at the Roundhouse, with just a few more days until the 60-day legislative session wraps up. But there is still plenty to be resolved before adjournment. Here are key bills to watch out for on Wednesday, March 19, and a recap of Tuesday.

GATO on the prowl: A proposal to create a new office to identify waste, fraud and abuse in New Mexico state government is scheduled for its first hearing in the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday morning. The bill, Senate Bill 484, would create the DOGE-inspired Government Accountability to Taxpayer Office, or GATO.

Capital outlay package: The Legislature’s annual capital outlay package is slated to be unveiled in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee on Wednesday morning. The bill, House Bill 450, will provide millions of dollars to pay for hundreds of infrastructure projects, including road and water system improvements, around the state.

Tuesday recap

Cannabis enforcement: A bill giving New Mexico’s Regulation and Licensing Department the legal authority to enforce the state’s fledgling cannabis industry passed the Senate on a 25-1 vote. The lone vote against the bill, House Bill 10, was cast by Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque.

Magic mushrooms: It’s off to the governor’s desk for Senate Bill 219, which would create a state-run psilocybin program for medical patients. The Senate voted 56-8 to move the legislation along.

Tortilla power: The Senate voted 28-0 to approve a bill making tortillas New Mexico’s official state bread. Debate on the bill, Senate Bill 315, featured plenty of light-hearted moments, along with praise for Las Cruces fifth-grader Adeline Macintosh, who came up with the idea for the legislation.

Where the bills stand

SB484: Awaiting a hearing in first assigned Senate committee. It would also have to pass the full Senate and House.

HB10: Passed the Senate and House. It now goes to the governor’s desk for final approval.

SB219: Passed the House and Senate. It now goes to the governor’s desk for final approval.

SB315: Passed the Senate. Currently, it’s awaiting House committee assignments.