New Mexico’s Law Makers Facing Medical Malpractice Bill With Higher Caps For Big Hospitals
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico lawmakers are moving forward with a new version of a medical malpractice overhaul bill that would limit the amount jurors could award in punitive damages but includes a higher cap for large hospital systems than other providers.
The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Wednesday evening to approve House Bill 99 after stripping an amendment that would have left punitive damages uncapped for corporate hospitals. The bill still has to make it through a House floor vote, as well as the Senate Read More
Bill To Curb New Mexico License Plate Data Sharing Heads To Senate Floor
State Police Chief Troy Weisler
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
An effort to restrict out-of-state agencies from using license plate camera data in New Mexico to enforce things like immigration laws or other states’ abortion bans is moving forward.
The “Driver Privacy and Safety Act” passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon with unanimous support, despite some misgivings from a pair of Republicans on the committee. It will head next to the Senate floor for a vote.
“If we don’t put basic guardrails on, this is a really dangerous tool,” Senate Majority Leader Read More
Thirteen Los Alamos County Elected Officials Endorse Katharine Clark For New Mexico Secretary Of State
Katharine Clark
Candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State
By KARYL ANN ARMBRUSTER
Los Alamos
Thirteen Los Alamos County elected officials announced their endorsement of Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark for New Mexico Secretary of State, citing her effectiveness as Santa Fe County Clerk.
Clark has led one of the most advanced election operations in the state. Santa Fe County consistently delivers high-turnout elections among New Mexico’s largest counties, demonstrating that voter participation, accessibility, and operational discipline can be strengthened simultaneously. Read More
Senate Panel Rejects Bid To Classify Nuclear As Renewable Energy In New Mexico
Members of the Senate Conservation Committee meet Saturday, Feb. 8, 2026, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe to discuss a bill that would classify nuclear energy as renewable under the state’s renewable portfolio standard; the committee later voted Tuesday to reject the bill with a ‘Do Not Pass’ recommendation. Courtesy image
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
SANTA FE – A proposal to classify nuclear power as a form of renewable energy in New Mexico was effectively killed Tuesday in the Senate Conservation Committee, where lawmakers voted 5-4 on a do-not-pass motion Read More
Legislative Roundup: 9 Days Left In Session
House Speaker Javier Martínez, right, marches with members of Somos Acción and other demonstrators along Paseo de Peralta while heading to the state Capitol on Jan. 26 during an Immigrant and Worker Day of Action rally.
The Santa Fe New Mexican
System out of order: New Mexico’s struggles with rising health care costs are a symptom of America’s private health care model, House Speaker Javier Martínez said Wednesday.
“I think this country’s original sin with regard to health care was 65 years ago when they decided to make health care for-profit,” the Albuquerque Read More
Public Meeting On Update To Proposed Mescalero Apache Tribe Land Exchange To Be Held Feb. 25
NMSLO News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) and the Mescalero Apache Tribe will host a public meeting in the large banquet room at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces on Feb. 25, to share updated information and gather feedback from the local community regarding changes to the potential land exchange, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today.
Public Meeting Details:
- 6–7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.25, 2026
- New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Road
Las Cruces, NM 88011 - ZOOM Option
Meeting ID: 895 2836 0038
House Unanimously Passes Legislation To Make Healthcare More Affordable For Educators
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to lower out-of-pocket health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff. House Bill 47 now heads to the Senate.
HB 47 increases public and charter schools’ required minimum contributions to their employees’ health insurance premiums. The bill would require districts to pay 80% of the total premium cost for all employees. Currently, districts pay 60-80% of the cost, depending on the individual’s income level, and most staff receive the lower end of the benefit.
The bill would bring Read More
OBAE Approves $6.7M In Grants For Public Wi-Fi
OBAE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) today announced six grants to implement or expand public Wi-Fi service across New Mexico.
Two cities, two counties, a university, and an internet service provider received awards through OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program, designed to expand free Wi-Fi in public places, such as plazas, parks, and municipal buildings.
“Public Wi-Fi is essential for providing accessibility and convenience in communities across New Mexico,” said Neala Krueger, OBAE state grants senior program manager. “It provides Read More
NMED Acts To Hold DOE Accountable For Legacy Waste
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department issued several actions today to hold the U.S. Department of Energy accountable for failing to prioritize the cleanup of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s “legacy waste” for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
The continued presence of a large volume of unremedied hazardous and radioactive waste demonstrates a longstanding lack of urgency by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and elevates the risk of waste storage failures at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
The term “legacy waste” describes mixed waste that dates Read More
Santa Fe National Forest Plans Blanco Prescribed Fire
Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
ESPAÑOLA — The Santa Fe National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations in the Española Ranger District as early as Feb. 18, 2026, pending all required approvals. The Blanco prescribed fire is a 718-acre broadcast burn located off Forest Road 144 west of Clara Peak and north of Santa Clara Pueblo. Fire managers will look for opportunities to implement this burn from February 18 to March 15, as weather conditions allow. A broadcast burn is when fire is applied across a defined area or boundary to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure Read More
