Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House unanimously passed two additional public safety bills. Senate Bill 70 and Senate Bill 155 both tackle organized crime.

SB 70 would give New Mexico's law enforcement agencies and courts better ability to combat human trafficking and organized crime. The legislation would update the definition of crimes that can be considered racketeering to include sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact, dog fighting and cockfighting, and bringing contraband into prisons. SB 70 is sponsored by Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) and Representative Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho).

SB 155 would allow multiple incidents of embezzlement that occurred within a 12-month period to be combined for sentencing. Embezzlement offenses would be classified based on the total value of the property embezzled over a 12-month period, up to a second-degree felony. SB 155 is sponsored bySenator Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D-Albuquerque).

This session, Democratic lawmakers are working together to improve community safety by reducing gun violence, deterring violent crime, and making record investments in behavioral health and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans help they need when they need it.

"In the final hours of this legislative session, we are continuing to deliver well-vetted legislation to address the most pressing public safety challenges facing our state," said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). "We remain focused on providing law enforcement with the resources they need to keep us safe, holding violent offenders accountable, expanding access to behavioral healthcare, and addressing the root causes of crime in our communities. This is ongoing work that will require all of us to keep coming together to develop solutions, whether the legislature is in session or not."

Below is a list of other key public safety legislation passed by the House this session:

House Bill 8, an integrated public safety package (Signed into law)

Criminal Competency and Treatment, which would expand options for how our criminal justice system assists individuals suffering from serious mental or behavioral health issues by creating more pathways to get them appropriate levels of treatment.

Fentanyl Trafficking Sentences, which would enhance penalties for high-volume fentanyl trafficking in New Mexico to reflect concerns about public health and safety risks associated with the drug's potency and its role in the state's overdose crisis.

Fourth-Degree Felony for Shooting Threat, which would increase the penalty for making a mass shooting threat toward a school or public place to a fourth-degree felony, aligning it with the state's penalty for bomb threats.

Possession of a Weapon Conversion Device, which would prohibit possession of a device designed to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon.

Penalties for Vehicle Thefts, which would increase penalties for repeat and habitual offenders. While current law only enhances penalties for multiple convictions for the same charge, such as theft, receiving, or transferring a stolen vehicle, this proposal would increase penalties when there are multiple convictions for any of these vehicle theft-related charges.

DWI Blood Testing, which gives law enforcement officers more tools to enforce the state's DWI laws by allowing them to request a search warrant to test for controlled substances in cases where they have probable cause to suspect a misdemeanor has been committed.

House Bill 12 (Signed into law) - Would make it easier for law enforcement to use the state's red flag law to temporarily remove firearms from people who may be a danger to themselves or others.

House Bill 255 (Passed by House, Died in Senate) - Sought to expand programs for at-risk youth and enhance accountability for certain juvenile offenders to better prevent and address juvenile crime.

House Bill 340 (Passed by House and Senate) - Would help law enforcement solve cold cases by closing a loophole to allow the DNA of deceased individuals who were arrested for a felony, but passed away before being charged, to be entered into the federal CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) database.

House Bill 2 (Passed by House and Senate) - Continues the legislature's strong support of law enforcement, with considerable emphasis on collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral healthcare providers. The budget includes:
$10 million to building the capacity of local law enforcement agencies
$4 million to law enforcement recruitment and retention
Significant funding for state police raises, vehicles, equipment, and repairs

Senate Bill 3 (Signed into law) - Establishes behavioral health regions to work with local stakeholders to identify existing resources and gaps in access to behavioral healthcare in communities across the state. A Behavioral Health Executive Committee would then distribute funding to address those gaps and build out New Mexico's behavioral healthcare workforce.

Senate Bill 1 (Signed into law) - Work in tandem with SB 3 by creating a trust fund to support long-term behavioral healthcare initiatives across the state.

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.