This category will include items sent to the Beat from the 2024 NM Legislative session.-?
Governor applauds passage of House Bill 195 to make changes to Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Loan Fund
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today celebrated the passage of House Bill 195, sponsored by Reps. Linda Serrato, Meredith A. Dixon, and Joy Garratt and Sen. Michael Padilla. The legislation makes changes to the Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Loan fund (OERF) at the New Mexico Finance Authority, opening it up to support housing infrastructure and workforce development housing projects. The bill is accompanied by a $125 million appropriation to the fund for housing in the FY25 budget.Â
February 15— On today's conclusion of the Second Session of the 56th Legislature, Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman and former congressman Steve Pearce, gave the following statement:
"This legislative session has underscored the Democrat one-party-rule engrossing our state that favors far-left special interests over the needs and wants of the people of New Mexico.
The purpose of this session was to discuss the budget. With a multi-billion-dollar surplus from oil and gas, Republicans tried to reduce taxes and put more money into the pockets of New Mexicans. In contrast, Democrats sought to increase government spending and impose new taxes.
Republicans proposed a 1% flat rate for personal income tax, which was killed by Democrats. This would have returned $1.75 billion to taxpayers offering much-need relief from inflation.
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Senate passed an amended public safety bill Wednesday that largely prohibits the carrying of firearms at polling places.  Â
The Firearms Near Polling Places bill, Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth and supported by the governor, prohibits the carrying of firearms within 100 feet of a polling place during an election with some exceptions. Â
"New Mexicans should be able to exercise their right to vote without fear of intimidation or, worse, violence," said Gov. Lujan Grisham. "This legislation solidifies what we already know: Guns do not belong at polling places."Â
BILL NOW HEADS TO GOVERNOR
SANTA FE, N.M. (February 14, 2024) – A major environmental bill for this session, the Clean Transportation Fuels Standard, HB 41, has passed the Senate and now heads to the Governor for signature. The bill passed off the Senate floor last night by a vote of 26-15.
The legislation, if signed by the Governor, would require the state's transportation sector to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 20% by 2030 and 30% by 2040, cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The House concurred with Senate amendments, including new and expanded credits
for clean energy, teachers, veterans, and familiesÂ
Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, the House of Representatives approved amendments made by the Senate to House Bill 252, the omnibus tax package, with a bipartisan vote of 39-27. House Bill 252 would make New Mexico's tax code more equitable, expand incentives for rural healthcare providers, support local businesses and childcare providers, advance the state's climate goals, and provide relief to families impacted by wildfires.Â
Senate amendments added tax credits for clean energy, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. They also increased the Special Needs Adopted Child Tax Credit and created a new tax deduction for public school teachers buying supplies. Â
House Bill 2 as amended makes significant investments that will deliver meaningful results for New Mexicans today and for generations to comeÂ
Santa Fe, NM - Tonight, the House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to the state budget for fiscal year 2025. The bill now heads to the Governor to be signed into law. The final version of House Bill 2, the General Appropriations Act, totals $10.22 billion, a 6.8% increase from last year, while retaining a 31% reserve.Â
Senate amendments to House Bill 2 increased the budget by $31.5 million to grow and maintain key state programs. The amended bill retains vital investments in education, workforce development, public safety, infrastructure, the environment, and the working families of New Mexico.
New program would expand health care access across rural communities
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 17 by a vote of 59-1.The bill would increase Medicaid payment to hospitals, particularly in rural communities. The Healthcare Quality Delivery and Access Act would help New Mexico hospitals unlock funds that can be used to prevent closures and increase access to quality healthcare services across the state.Â
Pilot program would provide monetary stipends to help New Mexicans
advance their careers without financial strain
Santa Fe, N.M. - Â Tonight, the House of Representatives approved legislation to support New Mexicans' participation in training and development programs to advance their careers.Â
Passed by a bipartisan vote of 41-13, House Bill 303 would establish a three-year pilot program to provide stipends to adults attending workforce training programs. The funds would be administered by the Higher Education Department to help participants cover housing, food, and transportation expenses, as well as program registration costs.Â
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