We are a little over a week into the 2016 Legislative Session. While House Republicans have passed bills that will make New Mexico a safer place to live and raise a family, those bills are languishing in the Senate.

Waiting on Senate Action:

Bipartisan legislation to close a dangerous child pornography loophole passed the House Floor on Bipartisan Vote. "House Bill 65 would allow prosecutors to charge one count of possession for each visual porn item possessed instead of the current ability to charge one count total no matter how many images are possessed." ("House passes child porn "loophole" bill on 60-2 vote," Albuquerque Journal, 1/26/2016)

Bipartisan bill to increase penalties for child abusers passed the House Floor. "The pair of bills would make life in prison possible for somebody convicted of intentionally abusing any child under 18 to the point of death, which is outlined in House Bill 69. House Bill 68 triples the prison time for somebody who intentionally injures a child but doesn't kill them. House Bill 68 passed a House vote, 61-1. House Bill 69 passed by a unanimous 63-0 vote." ("House passes child porn and child abuse legislation," KOB, 1/26/2016)

Bill that would stop giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and bring New Mexico into REAL ID compliance passed the House Floor on a bipartisan vote. "The Republican-led House voted Wednesday to require New Mexicans to obtain driver's licenses that comply with federal Real ID requirements - except for undocumented immigrants, who would be issued driving privilege cards. House Bill 99 passed 39-30, with all Republicans and two Democrats in favor and all other Democrats opposed." ("Republican-led House passes Real ID license bill," Albuquerque Journal, 1/27/2016)

Bill that would expand New Mexico's current "three-strikes" law passed the House Floor on a bipartisan vote. "A bill that would expand New Mexico's never-used "three-strikes" law for repeat violent offenders is headed to the Senate, after being passed in the House late Thursday on a 47-15 vote.

Rep. Paul Pacheco, R-Albuquerque, the measure's sponsor, said the bill, had it been in place, would have applied to just 60 criminals in a recent 15-year span. But he also called it necessary to ensure violent repeat offenders get stiffer sentences." ("House approves expansion of G