LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A bill that would strengthen penalties for certain attacks against peace officers in New Mexico has passed both the House and Senate and is now headed to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 61 focuses on aggravated battery against a peace officer and would increase the felony level in the most severe cases, including incidents involving great bodily harm or the use of a deadly weapon.

Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story announced the bill’s passage in a video posted to social media, calling it a long-awaited fix to state law.

“The bill has been introduced for over a decade and it fixes a flaw in state statute,” Story said in the post.

Jordan Salas reports on New Mexico House Bill 61 (Credit: KFOX14)

Under current New Mexico law, law enforcement leaders say there is a gap in how aggravated battery cases involving officers are charged. Story previously told KFOX14 that pointing a gun at an officer and shooting an officer can, in some cases, be charged at the same felony level.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Story said in a recent interview. “It just fixes a defect in state law.”

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Under House Bill 61, cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon would be upgraded from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony, which carries harsher potential penalties under state law.

Story said similar versions of the bill have been introduced for years but repeatedly failed to make it through the full legislative process.

“There’s been a bill like that introduced for over a decade,” he said. “Last year it passed the House and died on the Senate side.”

Story also thanked lawmakers and the bill’s sponsors for advancing the measure this session, saying better education about what the bill does helped move it forward.

House Bill 61 now awaits action from New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. If signed, the law would take effect July 1.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A fast-moving Pacific front may bring brief snow squalls Wednesday afternoon and evening across northwest New Mexico, including near the Continental Divide, Gallup and Farmington.

Impacts could include sudden heavy snow, near zero visibility and quick accumulation of 1–2 inches. A flash freeze could create very hazardous travel conditions.

Travel across northwest New Mexico late today is discouraged if possible. Additional weak disturbances tonight keep a 10–30% chance of snow showers along and west of the central mountain chain.

Weather outlook

Additional snow amounts will be light and mainly in the mountains. Winds remain strong, especially along and east of the central mountain chain.

Thursday will still be windy, but not as strong as today. Gusts are generally 30–40 mph, with up to 50 mph along and east of the central mountain chain, especially in the morning.

Light snow showers remain possible west and north, with temperatures continuing to trend colder. Highs range from near average in the far east to up to 18 degrees below normal in western New Mexico.

Friday’s storm

Another storm moves through on Friday, bringing more snow for northwest and northern mountains. A few inches are likely, with up to 6 inches in the Tusas Mountains.

Another snow squall is possible Friday morning across northwest New Mexico, which may be stronger than today’s. Brief heavy snow and very low visibility are possible.

Winds will increase again, with gusts 40–50 mph common and near 60 mph possible along and east of the central mountain chain.

SANTA FE, N.M. — Members of the country’s only unsalaried legislature are asking voters to reconsider their volunteer status that has endured for 114 years since statehood in New Mexico.

The state Senate on Tuesday night narrowly endorsed a constitutional amendment that would do away with the state’s prohibition on legislative direct compensation. That allows voters to decide in November whether to tie legislative salaries to the median income level in New Mexico — about $67,000 currently.

After stalling for years, the initiative was promoted successfully this time by a group of young female legislators who have talked about the challenges of balancing work, family and legislative duties.

“Can working parents juggle child care, a mortgage and legislative service? Some of us do, but it’s not sustainable,” said Democratic state Sen. Angel Charley of Acoma, a sponsor of the measure. “When service requires personal wealth or extraordinary sacrifice, representation narrows. … Democracy shrinks.”

New Mexico taxpayers already foot the bill for travel expenses, and an allowance for meals and lodging, when the Legislature is in session. Many lawmakers also have access to public pension benefits.

New Mexico’s “citizen legislature” of volunteer politicians has long been a source of civic pride in the state. But advocates for professionalizing the New Mexico Legislature say the current system discourages young, working-class candidates from serving and can inhibit progress on complex policy issues as legislators juggle separate paid and political careers.

In New York and California, legislative salaries exceed $100,000, while New Hampshire opts for a nominal $100 annually per lawmaker.