New Mexico

New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez announces anti-hazing, anti-cyberbullying legislation

Published

1 year ago

January 22, 2025

New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez announces anti-hazing, anti-cyberbullying legislation

New Mexico is currently one of six states that does not have anti-hazing legislation on the books — a fact that could change during the upcoming 60-day legislative session in Santa Fe.

On Jan. 16, 2025, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced new anti-hazing and anti-cyberbullying bills will be presented to the legislature and primarily sponsored by State Sen. Antonio Maestas (D-Albuquerque).

The legislation introduces penalties for hazing, cyberbullying and failure to report such incidents. If passed, post-secondary institutions would be required to implement a code of conduct, establish hazing prevention committees, and provide accessible hazing prevention education.

Proposed penalties for hazing-related offenses include:

A misdemeanor for participating in “harmful conduct” connected to a student’s recruitment, initiation, or affiliation with student organizations, such as athletic teams.
A misdemeanor for failing to report known or suspected hazing by an administrator, faculty member, coach, employee, independent contractor, or volunteer.
A fourth-degree felony for hazing resulting in physical or significant psychological harm.
A third-degree felony for hazing causing great physical harm.
A second-degree felony for hazing resulting in death.

The legislation also includes proposed penalties for cyber-bullying offenses, which include:

A misdemeanor for cyber-bullying without physical or psychological harm.
A fourth-degree felony for cyberbullying that does cause physical or significant psychological harm.
A third-degree felony for cyberbullying resulting in great physical harm.

The 60-day session begins Jan. 21 and ends March 22. Legislators can pre-file bills until Jan. 17 and the deadline to introduce legislation is Feb. 20.

The hazing and sexual assault allegations during New Mexico State University’s 2022-23 men’s basketball team were mentioned as part of the reasoning behind the legislation by Torrez, who produced a 68-page report entitled ‘Title IX and hazing on campus: Lessons learned from New Mexico State University,’ that called for anti-hazing legislation to be passed in New Mexico. The report led to the firing of former NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia on Jan. 2.

“In light of the recent report that we issued with respect to the specific and egregious allegations of hazing that occurred inside the New Mexico State’s basketball team, we promised to work with legislative leaders, stakeholders and others to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing those issues,” Torrez said in a Thursday press conference in Santa Fe.

Hazing allegations have been front and center in the past three years for the two Division I men’s basketball programs in the state.

New Mexico State settled one lawsuit in June 2023 for $8 million alleging three former Aggies men’s basketball players sexually assaulted two of their teammates. There are two additional lawsuits pending. Newly hired NMSU President Valerio Ferme said the AG report was a significant factor in his decision to fire longtime Director of Athletics Mario Moccia in January.

In December 2024, a University of New Mexico walk-on guard sued the University and men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino for creating an unsafe environment that led to another player allegedly punching him.

There were two bills regarding hazing, one in the House and one in the Senate, that were introduced during the 30-day session last year, that did not make it to the finish line. House Bill 225 would have created criminal penalties for both individuals who commit hazing acts and for anyone — coaches, teachers, staff — who reasonably should have known and did not report. Senate Bill 55 was modeled after similar legislation passed in Washington in 2022 and would have made hazing a misdemeanor.

Maestas will lead the efforts to try again this year and called hazing an “outdated and dangerous practice.”

“It’s our duty as leaders, parents and community members, to ensure that every child in New Mexico grows up in an environment where they feel safe and supported,” Maestas said. “And that’s why this year, during our upcoming session, I’m proud to be the prime sponsor of these two critical pieces of legislation that address pressing issues impacting our youth, cyberbullying and hazing.”

Eighth Judicial District Attorney Marcus Montoya and vice president for Legislation and Advocacy of the New Mexico Parent Teacher Association Board Renata Witte joined Torrez and Maestas during Thursday’s conference. Montoya regards the legislation as important and says it will give him and fellow prosecutors more ways to combat hazing and cyberbullying in New Mexico.

“I have seen in my community how cyberbullying and hazing have terrible, lasting physical, emotional, psychological, and sometimes fatal consequences,” Montoya said. “As a prosecutor, we do not currently have any tools in our toolkit to address these particular issues and behavior and misconduct. I do stand here with Senator Maestas, the Department of Justice and other stakeholders to support this very critical legislation.”

Witte says the legislation should be passed so kids in schools across New Mexico, including elementary, middle, high schools and colleges can feel safe.

“Every child deserves to feel safe in the extracurricular activities and in the organizations that they participate in,” Witte said. “Hazing is a dangerous practice, and it can have devastating consequences. It should not be considered a right of passage. Hazing sends the wrong message to our youth about the values of respect, belonging and leadership. Our children should feel secure and that they are growing up in a world where the adults around them, schools, education leaders, families and community members make a commitment to protect them.

“We need to send a clear message to the youth of New Mexico. New Mexico prioritizes your safety and your well-being.”

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New Mexico

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Regional gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $3.60 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week’s price of $3.41 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices are jumping around because traders are trying to price in how long the Iran war will disrupt oil flows from the Middle East, on top of the usual spring run‑up in demand as driving season approaches. Markets are baking in higher risk and “additional volatility” but not a long-term shutdown, and prices could retreat if it becomes clear the tensions are short-lived, petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Analysts say another 20 to 30 cents a gallon is still likely in the weeks ahead.

The average fuel price in the Gulf Coast region rose about 107 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the region in the last year have been as low as $2.37 on Jan. 5, 2026, and as high as $3.60 on March 23, 2026.

A year ago, the average gas price in the Gulf Coast region was 31% lower at $2.74 per gallon.

>> INTERACTIVE: See how your area’s gas prices have changed over the years at data.lcsun-news.com.

The average gas price in the United States last week was $3.96, making prices in the Gulf Coast region about 9.0% lower than the nation’s average. The average national gas price is higher than last week’s average of $3.72 per gallon.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s tally of prices in the Gulf Coast states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu.

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New Mexico

Grass fire burning thousands of acres in Quay County

Published

15 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Grass fire burning thousands of acres in Quay County

QUAY COUNTY, N.M. – A grass fire has burned an estimated 1,000-2,000 acres near San Jon in Quay County.

Emergency crews say the Old 66 Fire is threatening structures, and remains 0% contained.

The New Mexico Forestry Division said crews discovered the fire at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 east of San Jon, north of Interstate 40 in Quay County.

Smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and surrounding areas.

The fire is on private land and the cause remains under investigation.

State Road 469 is closed at Main Avenue. Officials said local residents should use caution and avoid the area.

Structures threatened include a wind farm to the southwest.

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