2-5-22 pm Alert

Hello New Mexico Activists:

There have been some intriguing developments, so we hope you will read this through to the end. You won’t be disappointed!

As many of you know by now, the revised version of HJR 2 Environmental Rights, known as the Green Amendment, passed House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources on Saturday morning! Thank you for showing up and getting this passed. And a big thank-you to Chair Matthew McQueen for working with sponsors to revise the joint resolution and move it along. Now it’s on to House Judiciary. Fingers crossed!

We have new hearings to tell you about, but first, some intrigue. Yet another bill has been introduced to slip the Hydrogen Hub through! We told you about SB 194 Additional Energy Acts Definitions, which will be heard in Senate Conservation Tuesday morning. (See hearing details below.) Today, after the bill introduction deadline, the original Hydrogen Hub bill was reincarnated again as HB 227 Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare. Brief explanation: a number of “placeholder” bills are allocated to legislators to introduce after the deadline: 40+ in the House and 35 in the Senate, all named Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare.

The bill sponsor, Rep. Patty Lundstrom, tucked an almost identical version of HB 4, the original Hydrogen Hub bill that was killed in House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources on Jan. 28, into one of these placeholders: HB 227. And it has just one House Committee assignment: Appropriations & Finance, of which Lundstrom is Chair. What a coincidence! (Of course, they won’t send it to HENRC where it died the first time.) Apparently, the Governor refuses to be denied her Hydrogen Hub.

And… the bill is scheduled to be heard in House Appropriations & Finance on Monday. But it’s listed as “HB 27 Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare” instead of HB 227. Okay, maybe a typo. But HB 27 is a totally different bill that isn’t assigned to HAFC. And the time of the Monday hearing is not published – it says: “Call of the chair after the floor session.” And no Zoom link is provided, just the note that “Zoom link will be updated Monday morning.” Whoa, you can’t make this stuff up! We’ll keep a close eye on this subterfuge and let you know what to do.

Now, here are all the new hearings coming up Monday and Tuesday, listed in chronological order. Please note the new Small Loan Rate bill that sets the rate at 99%, being heard on Tuesday afternoon. Can we please just stick with 36% and get this done!

NEW! Mon., Feb. 7, 8:30 a.m., Rm. 305, House Govt., Elections & Indian Affairs is scheduled to hear HB 6 Clean Future Act. We OPPOSE this bill in its current form. Read the summary at the link above to learn why, and to read the proposed amendments. Then, please call and email committee members to urge them to either amend the bill or vote “no.” We encourage you to participate in the hearing Zoom to offer public comment and participate in the on-screen poll to oppose this bill in its current form.

Join the Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88201222358. Or One tap mobile: +13462487799, 88201222358# or +16699009128, 88201222358#. Or dial a number based on your current location: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592. Webinar ID: 882 0122 2358. Or watch the hearing Webcast at nmlegis.gov. Please note that the Webcast is not interactive — you cannot participate in polls, raise your hand, or offer comment while watching the Webcast.

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

  • Chair: Georgene Louis (D). District 26 (Bernalillo). Room 306, (505) 986-4329. Email: georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov
  • Vice Chair: D. Wonda Johnson (D). District 5 (McKinley and San Juan). Room 413D, (505) 986-4435. Email: dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Gail Chasey (D). District 18 (Bernalillo). Room 308, (505) 986-4411. Email: gail@gailchasey.com
  • Member: Daymon Ely (D). District 23 (Bernalillo & Sandoval). Room 205A, (505) 986-4243. Email: daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Doreen Y. Gallegos (D). District 52 (Doña Ana). Room 134, (505) 986-4780. Email: doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Greg Nibert (R). District 59 (Chaves & Lincoln). Room 203EN, (505) 986-4467. Email: greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Kristina Ortez (D). District 42 (Taos). Room 203CN, (505) 986-4254. Email: kristina.ortez@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: William “Bill” R. Rehm (R). District 31 (Bernalillo). Room 201B, (505) 986-4214. Email: bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Martin R. Zamora (R). District 63 (Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt & San Miguel). Room 203EN, (505) 986-4467. Email: martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov

To send group email, copy and paste this block: “Gail Chasey” <gail@gailchasey.com>, “Daymon Ely” <daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov>, “Doreen Y. Gallegos” <doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov>, “D. Wonda Johnson” <dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov>, “Georgene Louis” <georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov>, “Greg Nibert” <greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov>, “Kristina Ortez” <kristina.ortez@nmlegis.gov>, “William “Bill” R. Rehm” <bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov>, “Martin R. Zamora” martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov

NEW! Mon., Feb. 7, 9 a.m., Rm. 321, Senate Rules is scheduled to hear SB 8 Voters’ Rights Provisions. This bill was heard in Senate Rules on Wednesday, then held over to Monday for further discussion. It’s unclear if more public comment will be allowed, but please read the talking points in the link above and call and email committee members to urge them to support this bill.

To join the Zoom hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86412647187. Or via telephone 1-253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 864 126 47187. Or watch the hearing Webcast at nmlegis.gov. Please note that the Webcast is not interactive — you cannot participate in polls, raise your hand, or offer comment while watching the Webcast.

Senate Rules
(Note: Sen. Stewart uses a Google form for contact instead of email, so you need to contact her separately.)

  • Chair: Daniel A. Ivey-Soto (D). District 15 (Bernalillo). Room 320A, (505) 986-4270. Email: daniel.ivey-soto@nmlegis.gov
  • Vice Chair: Leo Jaramillo (D). District 5 (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval & Santa Fe). Room 416C, (505) 986-4487. Email: leo.jaramillo@nmlegis.gov
  • Ranking Member: Stuart Ingle (R). District 27 (Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea and Roosevelt). Room 415G, (505) 986-4702. Email: stuart.ingle@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Gregory A. Baca (R). District 29 (Bernalillo & Valencia). Room 109A, (505) 986-4877. Email: greg.baca@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Katy M. Duhigg (D). District 10 (Bernalillo & Sandoval). Room 300B, (505) 986-4726. Email: katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Linda M. Lopez (D). District 11 (Bernalillo). Room 120A, (505) 986-4737. Email: linda.lopez@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Mark Moores (R). District 21 (Bernalillo). Room 109C, (505). Email: mark.moores@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D). District 12 (Bernalillo). Room 300A, (505) 986-4482. Email: jortizyp@msn.com
  • Member: Cliff R. Pirtle (R). District 32 (Chaves, Eddy and Otero). Room 414D, (505) 986-4369. Email: cliff.pirtle@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Mimi Stewart (D). District 17 (Bernalillo). Room 105A, (505) 986-4734. Email: https://bit.ly/ContactSenStewart
  • Member: Peter Wirth (D). District 25 (Santa Fe). Room 119, (505) 986-4727. Email: peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov

To send group email, copy and paste this block. (Note: Sen. Stewart uses a Google form for contact instead of email, so you need to contact her separately at the link above.): “Gregory A. Baca” <greg.baca@nmlegis.gov>, “Katy M. Duhigg” <katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov>, “Stuart Ingle” <stuart.ingle@nmlegis.gov>, “Daniel A. Ivey-Soto” <daniel.ivey-soto@nmlegis.gov>, “Leo Jaramillo” <leo.jaramillo@nmlegis.gov>, “Linda M. Lopez” <linda.lopez@nmlegis.gov>, “Mark Moores” <mark.moores@nmlegis.gov>, “Gerald Ortiz y Pino” <jortizyp@msn.com>, “Cliff R. Pirtle” <cliff.pirtle@nmlegis.gov>, “Peter Wirth” <peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov>

NEW! Mon., Feb. 7, 1:30 p.m. (or ½ hr. after floor session ends), Rm. 311, Senate Health & Public Affairs is scheduled to hear SM 1 Paid Family & Medical Leave Task Force. (Held over from Friday.) We need to support working families in our state! Please read the talking points at the link above and start calling and emailing committee members today. Use the link below to join the hearing Zoom and offer public comment and show your support for this bill.

To join the Zoom webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87967039414. Or via telephone 1 669 900 9128. The Webinar ID for SHPAC is 879 6703 9414. Or you can watch the Webcast at nmlegis.gov. Please note that the Webcast is not interactive — you cannot participate in polls, raise your hand, or offer comment while watching the Webcast.

Senate Health and Public Affairs

  • Chair: Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D). District 12 (Bernalillo). Room 300A, (505) 986-4482. Email: jortizyp@msn.com
  • Vice Chair: Bill Tallman (D). District 18 (Bernalillo). Room 300C, (505) 986-4373. Email: tallman@nmlegis.gov
  • Ranking Member: Gregg Schmedes (R). District 19 (Bernalillo, Sandovalj, Santa Fe & Torrance). Room 415F, (505) 986-4395. Email: schmedes@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Jacob R. Candelaria (DTS). District 26 (Bernalillo). Room 301A, (505) 986-4380. Email: candelaria@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: David M. Gallegos (R). District 41 (Eddy & Lea). Room 415A, (505) 986-4278. Email: rsi@hotmail.com
  • Member: Stuart Ingle (R). District 27 (Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea and Roosevelt). Room 415G, (505) 986-4702. Email: ingle@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Brenda G. McKenna (D). District 9 (Bernalillo & Sandoval). Room 218B, (505) 986-4301. Email: mckenna@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D). District 16 (Bernalillo). Room 218C, (505) 986-4389. Email: sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics (D). District 39 (Bernalillo, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia). Room 328B, (505) 986-4377. Email: lstefanics@msn.com

To send group email, copy and paste this block: “Jacob R. Candelaria” <jacob.candelaria@nmlegis.gov>, “David M. Gallegos” <david.rsi@hotmail.com>, “Stuart Ingle” <stuart.ingle@nmlegis.gov>, “Brenda G. McKenna” <brenda.mckenna@nmlegis.gov>, “Gerald Ortiz y Pino” <jortizyp@msn.com>, “Gregg Schmedes” <gregg.schmedes@nmlegis.gov>, “Antoinette Sedillo Lopez” <a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov>, “Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics” <lstefanics@msn.com>, “Bill Tallman” <bill.tallman@nmlegis.gov>

REMINDER: Tues., Feb. 8, 9 a.m., Rm. 311, Senate Conservation is scheduled to hear SB 194 Additional Energy Acts Definitions. Remember that Hydrogen Hub was slipped into this new bill after HB 4 was tabled last week in HENRC. We OPPOSE this bill. The arguments against SB 194 are the same as they were for HB 4, so please choose 2-3 talking points from the link above to include in your emails and calls to committee members. We also encourage you to join the Zoom webinar using the link below to offer public comments, take the on-screen poll, and express your opposition to this bill.

Join the Zoom webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86543845863. Or via telephone US: +1-253-215-8782. Webinar ID: 865 4384 5863. Or you can watch the Webcast at nmlegis.gov. Please note that the Webcast is not interactive — you cannot participate in polls, raise your hand, or offer comment while watching the Webcast.

Senate Conservation

  • Chair: Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics (D). District 39 (Bernalillo, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia). Room 328B, (505) 986-4377. Email: lstefanics@msn.com
  • Vice Chair: Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D). District 16 (Bernalillo). Room 218C, (505) 986-4389. Email: sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov
  • Ranking Member: David M. Gallegos (R). District 41 (Eddy & Lea). Room 415A, (505) 986-4278. Email: rsi@hotmail.com
  • Member: Joseph Cervantes (D). District 31 (Doña Ana). Room 319, (505) 986-4861. Email: cervantes@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Carrie Hamblen (D). District 38 (Dona Ana). Room 416G, (505) 986-4266. Email: hamblen@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Steven P. Neville (R). District 2 (San Juan). Room 415B, (505) 986-4701. Email: neville@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Harold Pope (D). District 23 (Bernalillo). Room 416E, (505) 986-4365. Email: popejr@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: Gregg Schmedes (R). District 19 (Bernalillo, Sandovalj, Santa Fe & Torrance). Room 415F, (505) 986-4395. Email: schmedes@nmlegis.gov
  • Member: William P. Soules (D). District 37 (Doña Ana). Room 328C, (505) 986-4834. Email: soules@nmlegis.gov

To send group email, copy and paste this block: “Joseph Cervantes” <joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov>, “David M. Gallegos” <david.rsi@hotmail.com>, “Carrie Hamblen” <carrie.hamblen@nmlegis.gov>, “Steven P. Neville” <steven.neville@nmlegis.gov>, “Harold Pope” <harold.popejr@nmlegis.gov>, “Gregg Schmedes” <gregg.schmedes@nmlegis.gov>, “Antoinette Sedillo Lopez” <a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov>, “William P. Soules” <bill.soules@nmlegis.gov>, “Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics” <lstefanics@msn.com>

NEW! Tues., Feb 8, 1:30 p.m. (or 15 mins. after floor session), Rm. 317, House Consumer & Public Affairs is scheduled to hear HB 172 Interest Rates on Certain Loans. We OPPOSE this bill. It was introduced to counter HB 132 Interest Rates for Certain Loans. HB 172 sets the small loan interest rate at 99% instead of the 36% rate in HB 132. Did they think we’d get confused because they gave the new bill nearly the same name? Sponsors have claimed they introduced this 99% rate bill “in case 36% doesn’t pass.” Well, the 36% rate bill already passed HCPAC and House Judiciary and it’s on the House Floor Calendar. Could they try to raise the rate to 99% on the House Floor? Well, yes, but it’s better to start at 36% and try to get that passed! Please contact committee members and urge them to vote “NO” on HB 172. Let’s stick to 36%! Remember, HB 132-Good; HB 172-Bad.

We also encourage you to join the hearing Zoom to offer public comment and take the on-screen poll to express your opposition to this bill. Join the Zoom webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82353539692. Or One tap mobile: +16699009128, 82353539692# or +12532158782, 82353539692#. Or dial a number based on your current location: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799. Webinar ID: 823 5353 9692. Or watch the hearing Webcast at nmlegis.gov. Please note that the Webcast is not interactive — you cannot participate in polls, raise your hand, or offer comment while watching the Webcast.

House Consumer & Public Affairs

To send group email, copy and paste this block: “Joanne J. Ferrary” <joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov>, “Stefani Lord” <stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov>, “Randall T. Pettigrew” <randall.pettigrew@nmlegis.gov>, “Andrea Romero” <andrea@andrearomero.com>, “Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson” <liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov>

Are you exhausted yet! We are. It’s hard not to think that this craziness is to prevent us from keeping track and being part of a democratic process. But we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, for now, and assume that it’s a broken system that is in dire need of fixing. In the meantime, we can’t give up.

In Solidarity & Hope,

Roxanne and Paul

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