2025 NM Legislative Session

Legislation to reduce gun violence, car thefts, and shooting threats all move to their final House committees

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC) advanced four public safety bills, addressing gun safety, shooting threats, and vehicle thefts.

House Bill 31, which passed 3-1, would increase the penalty for making a shooting threat toward a school or public to a fourth-degree felony, aligning it with the state's penalty for bomb threats. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Brian Baca (R-Los Lunas).

SANTA FE— Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) today passed SB 11 which will incentivize phone free school policy adoptions. SB 11 received a 'Do Pass' (7-2) committee vote today and now heads to Senate Finance Committee. The bill aims to incentivize local school districts to adopt phone free policies by offering a grant to compensate for any cost associated with the voluntary policy implementation such as phone lockers.

Following the committee's approval, Senator Crystal Brantley issued the following statement:

"I am excited to see the committee move forward with this program. We are last in the nation in education and by advancing this policy we not only can improve educational outcomes but student's mental health. I was pleased to see teachers, students, charter schools, public schools, superintendents, and many others come together and support this legislation."

Legislation would help prevent gun violence and reduce recidivism by helping people
involved in the criminal justice system access behavioral healthcare

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee advanced two key public safety bills, voting unanimously in favor of House Bill 4: Criminal Competency and Treatment, and 4-2 on House Bill 12: Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Changes.

House Bill 4, sponsored by Representatives Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque), would expand options for how our criminal justice system deals with individuals suffering from serious mental or behavioral health issues by creating more pathways to get them appropriate levels of treatment. Currently, when someone is deemed not competent to stand trial, their cases are often dismissed. Many of these individuals do not receive any treatment and may re-offend and end up back in the criminal justice system.

The public and legislators are invited to this event which will feature guest speakers and an educational component about advocacy.

The New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women will host their first Women's Day of Action on January 28, 2025 from 10:00-11:00am at the New Mexico State Roundhouse Rotunda in Santa Fe. This event will address key bills supporting women in the upcoming 2025 legislative session.

Legislators Urged to Free Healthcare from a Failing System

Santa Fe – The New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) applauds Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for highlighting the pressing challenges of New Mexico's healthcare system during her State of the State address. By recognizing and directly confronting the systemic issues that hinder access to quality care, the Governor has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.

SANTA FE, JANUARY 21— In response to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's State of the State address this afternoon, Republican Party of New Mexico Chair Amy Barela issued the following statement:

"While we acknowledge the governor's sentiment that New Mexicans deserve better, her same approach of throwing more money at the many issues in our state has not produced results. Over her 6-year tenure, the state budget has increased by approximately 73%, yet critical areas like education and child welfare remain last in the nation. We have yet to see substantial progress in The Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD).

SANTA FE – Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) has been appointed as the ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chaired by Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), Senate Judiciary Committee hears all key bills related to public safety, sentencing reform, constitutional issues, and legal matters.

In the past year, leaders across the state have indicated they will bring major bills that will likely be heard before the Senate Judiciary Committee. These include the Governor's public safety package, the attorney general's anti-hazing and anti cyberbullying bills, RICO statute reforms, second amendment bills, CYFD oversight legislation, and even Senator Brantley's own proposed border safety package. As a legislator, Senator Brantley has repeatedly lead on a number of these issues in staunch support of the Constitution and the rule of law.

In response to her appointment, Senator Brantley issued the following statement:

Martínez retained as Speaker, Committee Chairs announced, and new members sworn in
as House Democrats begin session focused on public safety, child well-being, and affordability

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today at Noon, the New Mexico House of Representatives called to order the first session of its 57th Legislature. House Democrats' priorities for the 60-day session include improving public safety, supporting the well-being of New Mexico's children, relieving the financial pressures on working families, and ensuring all New Mexicans have access to healthcare, housing, and economic opportunities.