New Mexico
New Mexico Senate advances seven bills with few opponents – Source New Mexico
The New Mexico Senate on Thursday passed seven pieces of legislation in a series of unanimous votes — with two narrow exceptions.
Senators passed Senate Bill 148 in a 34-0 vote. Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque), SB 148 would eliminate a 3% fee charged to local governments by the state Taxation and Revenue Department for collecting and distributing sales taxes.
The bill was a priority for the New Mexico Municipal League and New Mexico Counties.
If passed into law, it would begin phasing out the fee on July 1, 2026 and completely go away two years later.
Next, senators passed Senate Bill 300 in a 37-0 vote.
Sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup), SB 300 would allow the State Board of Finance to raise up to $527.8 million for building and maintaining state and federal highways.
Then, senators passed Senate Bill 129 in a 37-0 vote.
Sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque), SB 129 would create minimum standards for state agencies to protect themselves from cyber attacks that threaten assets, private information or reputation.
The first exception of the day in the Senate was Senate Bill 135, which passed by a38-2 vote.
SB 135 would ensure doctors can ask health insurers to cover medications without the patient having to first try a cheaper version, a strategy insurers use to save money called “step therapy.”
The bill adds medications approved for treating substance use disorder, autoimmune disorders, behavioral health conditions and cancer to the list of drugs that cannot be subject to step therapy or prior authorization requirements.
The two opponents were Sens. Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque) and Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque). Hickey said he supported the bill but it could lead to more complications and drug-to-drug interactions.
The second exception was Senate Bill 106, which passed in a 38-1 vote.
Sponsored by William Sharer, (R-Farmington), SB 106 which would create a committee to plan a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the U.S. on July 4, 2026.
The lone opponent was Sen. Brenda McKenna (D-Corrales) who did not take the opportunity to explain her vote.
Next, the Senate passed Senate Bill 17 in a 40-0 vote.
Sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics (D-Cerrillos), SB 17 would create a new program run by the Health Care Authority with the goal of maximizing the impact of state money for health care by redirecting money from certain hospitals to rural hospitals and small urban ones.
Finally, senators passed Senate Bill 108 in a 41-0 vote.
Sponsored by Muñoz, SB 108 would allow the Secretary of State’s Office to pull from a new $20 million pot of money three months after a statewide election, to stabilize the agency’s annual budget.
Each bill now heads the House chamber where they must receive committee review before a full vote. The New Mexico legislative session ends Feb. 15.
When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
But they don’t have to do it alone thanks to an organization helping New Mexico families with some of those burdens.
Watch the video above for more.
New Mexico state lawmakers held the first meeting of their Epstein “Truth Commission” on Monday, launching a formal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch and its potential use for criminal activity, human trafficking, and sexual abuse.
The four-person commission’s meeting lasted less than an hour but served as an opportunity for lawmakers to outline their plan and goals — and for Epstein survivors to have their voices heard.
RELATED STORY | New Mexico AG calls on Epstein survivors to come forward amid Zorro Ranch investigation
The only known Epstein survivor living in New Mexico, identified only as Rachel, spoke about her experiences. Lawmakers also heard from the family of the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an Epstein victim who died by suicide in April of last year. Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law told the commission that Giuffre had repeatedly described being abused at Zorro Ranch, and that she paid the price for systems that for so long did not believe survivors.
“Virginia was not only abused by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell,” Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts said. “She was trafficked to extremely wealthy, powerful and dangerous individuals. Some of that trafficking happened right here in New Mexico at Zorro Ranch. That is not speculation. That is not rumor. That is testimony. And New Mexico now stands at crossroads. This state can either repeat the failures we have already witnessed across institutions and protected power over people. Or New Mexico can lead.”
Federal investigations into Epstein were conducted in Florida and New York, but no federal probe was launched in New Mexico. Giuffre’s family addressed that gap directly, expressing hope that a meaningful separation between state and federal government could benefit survivors. They said that when an Epstein survivor feels the federal government has wronged them, the state government should be able to step in and conduct its own investigation — and they hope something meaningful can come from this probe.
The commission left Monday’s meeting with 14 subpoenas. The subpoenas are not directed at specific individuals but target the Epstein Estate, as well as banks and other entities tied to Epstein or related investigations.
State Rep. Andrea Reeb, one of the lawmakers on the commission, told Scripps News there is a possibility they will need more resources before a final report can be completed. The commission faces a deadline of July 31 to produce an interim report, with a final report scheduled for later this year.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Epstein’s former New Mexico ranch searched in criminal investigation
Reeb said she is prepared to name names if she believes someone is involved, and that the commission is prepared to refer additional survivors to the Department of Justice at any time they come forward, in case they want to pursue legal action. The commission also said it will issue formal referrals to the state of New Mexico, Florida, New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other relevant international jurisdictions.
The commission said it is also prepared to make full legislative recommendations. At the time Epstein lived in New Mexico, he was not required to register as a convicted sex offender — and that law remains on the books today. The commission believes targeted changes to that law could make a significant difference.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Rail Yards Market celebrated the state’s rich indigenous culture and history over the weekend through artistry, food, and craftsmanship. Some of the many attractions included a variety of southwestern jewelry pieces, handmade leather goods, as well as contemporary beadwork and artwork showcasing centuries-old traditions.
The Ry-Dale Largo Dance Group also performed traditional Navajo dancing styles. “I think it’s really important for everybody to get out and mingle and sit next to each other and create art. It really forms a sense of community, and it’s nice to just sit and create with people next to you that just really enjoy doing art,” said Lisa Richards, beading instructor.
Organizers say the Rail Yards Market sits on Tiwa land, emphasizing their pride in uplifting indigenous voices through their vendors and partners.
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