2-27-23 Alert

Good Afternoon, New Mexico Activists:

Late-breaking news! We have been told by reliable sources within the Roundhouse that HB 12 Advanced Energy Technology Act has been pulled and will not be reintroduced. Yay! We’ve confirmed that HB 12 has been removed from the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources agenda tomorrow. But after an initial euphoric moment, it has become clear that other strategies are in play. Watch for our blog later today where we will lay out what we know. The blog will be posted at the top of our home page at https://retakeourdemocracy.org.

Please join us Wednesday evening for our Huddle via Zoom, 6-7 p.m. We’ll discuss anything more we learn about HB 12 and the overall effort to insert hydrogen production into state legislation. We’ll also update you on the status of other bills and possibly target some bills that may need an extra advocacy push. Register at this link.

NEW! One bill that needs a push from all of us right now is SB 19 Law Enforcement & Public Safety Telecomm. SB 19 establishes a badly needed statewide system for law enforcement training, oversight, and accountability. Though an agenda is not yet posted, we’re told that SB 19 will be heard on Wednesday, March 1, in Senate Judiciary, 1:30 p.m. (or ½ hr. post Senate Floor session), Room 321. You’ll find talking points at the link in the bill title above. Please call and email members of the committee today to urge them to vote “YES” on SB 19.

Let’s fill the hearing room to show our support! Register to offer public comment in person or via Zoom by emailing SJC.Zoom@nmlegis.gov. You may also send written comment to the same email address. Be sure to include bill number, if you’re a proponent or opponent, and if you will be attending in person or via Zoom. Join the Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502543362. Meeting ID: 815 0254 3362. Zoom Call: 1-253-205-0468.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Bulk email: “Gregory A. Baca” <greg.baca@nmlegis.gov>, “Joseph Cervantes” <joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov>, “Katy M. Duhigg” <katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov>, “Daniel A. Ivey-Soto” <daniel.ivey-soto@nmlegis.gov>, “Mark Moores” <mark.moores@nmlegis.gov>, “Bill B. O’Neill” <oneillsd13@billoneillfornm.com>, “Cliff R. Pirtle” <cliff.pirtle@nmlegis.gov>, “Mimi Stewart” <mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov>, “Peter Wirth” <peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov>

UPDATES:

  • A third bill related to Modernizing the Legislature was introduced on Feb. 15, HJR 14 Legislative Session Changes, which, for some reason, makes all legislative sessions 45 days. One of the most important goals of modernizing our legislature is to give legislators more time to pass good legislation, so we need longer sessions. HJR 2 keeps odd-year sessions at 60 days and extends even-year sessions from 30 to 60 days. It’s not transformational, but it’s a start. But HJR 14 would not help by making both even and odd-year sessions 45 days – 90 days total, which is what we have now. We’re told by one of the sponsors that HJR 14 is Plan B, in case HJR 2 doesn’t pass. We’ll see. For now, we’re sticking with supporting HJR 2 Legislative Session Changes and HJR 8 Legislative Salaries. Learn how New Mexico would benefit from a modernized legislature (HJR 2 and HJR 8) at this link.
  • HB 4 Voting Rights Act passed Senate Rules this morning 5:2 along party lines, with four members excused or absent. This bill appears to be speeding through, with just Senate Judiciary remaining before it goes to the Senate Floor for a final vote. We’ll keep you posted on next steps.
  • Another fast-moving bill, SB 53 Storage of Certain Radioactive Waste, passed House Govt., Elections & Indian Affairs on Saturday, 6:3 along party lines. If it gets through House Judiciary it will move to the House Floor for a final vote! We’ll send an Alert when it’s scheduled in HJC.

That’s all for now. You’ll hear from us again soon!

In Gratitude & Solidarity,

Roxanne and Paul

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