Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed 13 bills, ranging from legislation that would protect New Mexicans' privacy and expand access to healthcare, to bills that would support professional development for educators and require background checks for cannabis license holders.
"New Mexicans are counting on us to make the most out the last week of this session," saidHouse Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). "We're continuing to roll up our sleeves in these final days to work hard and deliver results that will make a difference for New Mexico families."
Two bills now head to the Senate and eleven are now headed to the Governor for her signature.
Below is a full list of the bills that passed the House today:
Senate Bill 39: Add Classes to Prior Authorization Drugs - would expand access to critical medications by exempting additional classes of drugs, particularly those for rare diseases, from step therapy or prior authorization.
Vote: 61-6
Sponsors: House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Senator Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D-Cerrillos), Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces)
Senate Bill 252: Social Work Telehealth Services - would expand access to mental and behavioral healthcare in New Mexico by allowing certified peer support workers and other Medicaid-certified healthcare professionals to practice in the state.
Vote: 65-1
Sponsor: Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 219: Medical Psilocybin Act - would provide alternative treatment for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating conditions such as PTSD, allowing limited use of medical psilocybin by patients whom clinicians believe would benefit from the naturally-occurring substance.
Vote: 56-8
Sponsors: Nine sponsors including Reps. Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson (D-Albuquerque)and Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), and Senators Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), and Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho)
Senate Bill 57: Medical Provider Patient IPRA Info - would protect the rights of medical professionals who provide reproductive care at public institutions in New Mexico, by exempting their personal information from the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).
Vote: 42-25
Sponsors: House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Senator Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo)
Senate Bill 36: Sensitive Personal Information Non-disclosure - would prohibit state employees from disclosing sensitive personal information about New Mexicans to anyone outside of their agency. Protected information includes sexual orientation, gender identity, medical conditions, disabilities, immigration status, national origin, and religion.
Vote: 42-23
Sponsors: Reps. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque) and Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque)and Senators Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) and Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D-Cerrillos)
Senate Bill 345: Teacher & Instructional Support Licensure - would expand avenues for teachers to obtain higher levels of licensure, including incorporating experience and licensing in other states.
Vote: 64-1
Sponsor: Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 112: Cannabis Licensure Changes - would require individuals seeking cannabis-related licenses in New Mexico to undergo both state and federal criminal history background checks, while also allowing an opportunity for applicants to provide proof of rehabilitation and character references.
Vote: 66-1
Sponsor: Rep. Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe)
House Bill 120: Accessibility of State Agencies - would improve access to state agencies by requiring that their websites and physical facilities comply with digital and physical accessibility standards.
Vote: 60-3
Sponsors: Reps. Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe), Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 72: Non-profit Condo Association Remote Business - would enable nonprofit condo associations to conduct business and meetings remotely and send notices by email.
Vote: 66-0
Sponsors: Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa)
Senate Bill 280: New Mexico Military Institute in Capital Outlay Act - would make the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) eligible for public school capital outlay funding.
Vote: 65-0
Sponsors: Ten sponsors, including Senators Candy Spence Ezzell (R-Rosewell), James Townsend (R-Artesia), Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), Larry Scott (R-Hobbs), and Joshua Sanchez (R-Bosque)
Senate Bill 100: Indebtedness Limit of Arroyo Flood Control - would allow the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority to raise the statutory restrictions for its outstanding indebtedness from $80 million to $120 million to adjust for inflation.
Vote: 65-0
Sponsors: Rep. Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque) and Senators Steve Lanier (R-Aztec) andNicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 7: Storm Water Service as Municipal Utility - would help preserve New Mexico's precious freshwater resources by allowing municipalities to develop and operate storm water systems to collect, treat, store, or dispose of stormwater.
Vote: 46-18
Sponsors: Sen. William Sharer (R-Farmington)
Senate Bill 101: Increase Certain Livestock Fees - would increase the maximum fees for many of the services performed by the New Mexico Livestock Board.
Vote: 67-0
Sponsors: Rep. Jack Chatfield (R-Mosquero) and Senators George Muñoz (D-Gallup) andPat Woods (R-Broadview)
Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
