Integrated crime package now moves to the Senate, as additional
public safety and behavioral health measures move through the House

Santa Fe, N.M. – Democratic lawmakers' public safety package is now headed to the Senate after passing the House of Representatives today with a bipartisan vote of 48-20. House Bill 8 incorporates six key public safety proposals into an integrated crime package.

"We worked throughout the interim so we could move quickly in this session to deliver meaningful public safety solutions for communities across our state," said lead sponsor Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). "The smart, targeted, bipartisan measures in this package are a strong start and will have a real impact on the issues facing New Mexicans every day."

House Bill 8 includes:

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.  Supporters of this measure include: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

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. Supporters of this measure include: the Department of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police

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. Supporters of this measure include: Attorney General Raúl Torrez, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina

Possession of a Weapon Conversion Device, which would prohibit possession of a device designed to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. Supporters of this measure include: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Department of Public Safety, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Marcus Montoya with the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys

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. Supporters of this measure include: Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, Albuquerque Police Department

DWI Blood Testing, which gives law enforcement officers more tools to enforce the state's DWI laws by allowing them to test for controlled substances in cases where they have probable cause to suspect a misdemeanor has been committed.
Supporters of this measure include: New Mexico State Police, the Department of Public Safety

The policies in this crime package are also paired with significant and historic investments in New Mexico's behavioral health system to ensure the state has the capacity to provide the treatment people need and better address the underlying issues that contribute to crime in our communities. These proposals include a $200 million down payment to expand the state's behavioral healthcare infrastructure, which passed the Senate on Friday. The legislature is also proposing a $110 million investment in housing that includes the expansion of transitional housing and behavioral healthcare facilities.

"We are taking a thoughtful, holistic approach to make New Mexicans safer," said Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), co-sponsor of the competency legislation. "This public safety package will help us address the pressing issues facing our communities today, and our investments in behavioral healthcare, housing, prevention, and treatment will help us to tackle the root causes of crime."

"We promised to work closely with our colleagues in the Senate to develop well-vetted solutions to the public safety and behavioral health challenges facing our state and we are delivering on that promise," said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). "By working together to pass good legislation, rather than trying to score political points, we can make our communities safer and ensure that New Mexicans who are struggling can get the help they need."

HB 8 is also sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque),Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), and Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque).

This session, House and Senate Democrats 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 the help they need when they need it.

Additional public safety bills working their way through the House:

House Bill 12: Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Changes
House Bill 86: Human Trafficking Changes
House Bill 340: DNA Of Certain Offenders in CODIS
House Bill 190: Victims of Crime Act Changes
Senate Bill 1: Behavioral Health Trust Fund
Senate Bill 2: Public Health & Safety Initiatives
Senate Bill 3: Behavioral Health Reform & Investment Act

The Roundhouse is open to the public for the 2025 session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.