State

Legislative Roundup: 11 Days Left In Session

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Father Lucas Grubbs, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches, center, speaks during a news conference where faith leaders pushed for passage of Senate Bill 17. The bill would ban certain dangerous weapons and put a variety of new regulations on gun sellers, including a minimum age and background checks for workers. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report

Senate shenanigans: As the clock winds down at the state Capitol, expect Republicans to try to drag things out to prevent pieces of legislation they oppose from passing.

Case in point: Read More

GOP Senator: Feds Could Sue To Block New Mexico’s ICE Contract Ban

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By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican

As New Mexico lawmakers work on a plan to bail out three counties bracing for financial hardship under a new law that will force them to end their immigration detention contracts, the Trump administration could be considering litigation.

“They are evaluating their options,” state Sen. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, said Monday in response to a request for an update on a letter he had sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi last month requesting her agency’s “attention and intervention” on House Bill 9.

“They believe Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Sentenced For Sexual Abuse

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a minor victim using threats and intimidation.

There is no parole in the federal system.

In August of 2021, Fernando Yatsatie, Jr., 48, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, unlawfully engaged in a sexual act with a minor victim using threats and intimidation.

Yatsatie pleaded guilty to sexual abuse. Upon his release from prison, Yatsatie will be subject to fifteen years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Read More

House Education Committee Advances Pared-Down Virtual Education Bill

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By Lily Alexander
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The House Education Committee has approved a slimmed-down version of a measure that would overhaul distance-learning regulations in New Mexico, removing provisions many in the virtual school community argued would eliminate such options in small districts.

An earlier version of House Bill 253 would have restricted the number of a district’s students who could enroll in virtual programs and would have prohibited districts from enrolling distance-learning students from outside their boundaries. 

The committee voted 8-4 along party lines Read More

Senators Luján, Booker, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Prevent Politicization Of Public Safety Grants

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SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the Federal Grant Neutrality Act, legislation designed to stop the politicization of Department of Justice (DOJ) federal grants and prevent the DOJ from imposing unfair conditions on jurisdictions represented by Democrats.

The bill ensures that grants cannot be withheld to punish jurisdictions for refusing to enforce partisan federal immigration policies.

For years, DOJ grants have been essential for state, local, Read More

NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna To Resign

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Secretary Ricky Serna

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Secretary Ricky Serna will resign his position effective Feb. 20 after three-and-a-half years in the role.

Before leading NMDOT, Serna served as acting secretary of the Department of Workforce Solutions and the acting director of the State Personnel Office.

“I thank the Governor for the confidence she put in me to serve my fellow New Mexicans,” Cabinet Secretary Serna said. “You have my commitment to a strong transition and my assurance that a capable and engaged team Read More

Update On 1,000 Acre Wildfire In Quay County

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New Mexico Forestry Division News:

The New Mexico Forestry Division has issued an update on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.

The 352 Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. today, Feb. 9, near I-40, mile marker 352, north of San Jon in Quay County.

The fire is wind-driven from the southwest and moving through grass and brush. Structures are threatened, and smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and the surrounding areas. 

State Road 469 is closed north of San Jon. Residents should take caution and avoid the area. 

The fire is estimated Read More

Friends Of History Calling For Volunteers To Become Walking History Tour Docents—Register Now For Training

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FOH News:

The Friends of History of the New Mexico History Museum invite you to become a docent for our Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe. Our docents use their training and personality to engage visitors and locals for two hours with insights into the major events, real-life characters, important landmarks and diverse cultures that have shaped Santa Fe and New Mexico for more than 400 years. You’ll do this while walking the picturesque streets of historic downtown Santa Fe.

Friends of History is a volunteer nonprofit organization championing New Mexico since 2017. Our signature Read More

House Unanimously Passes Behavioral Health Compacts To Expand Access To Care

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Feb. 6, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 32: the Counseling Licensure Compact and House Bill 33: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to expand access to behavioral and mental healthcare in New Mexico. 

HB 32 and HB 33 round out the list of 10 compact bills introduced this session, all of which have unanimously passed the House, with two signed into law by the Governor this morning (SB 1, HB 50). These important pieces of legislation enter New Mexico into interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other Read More

Senate Approves $92 Million For State Fairgrounds Project

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate approved Senate Bill 48 on Feb. 6, which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the State Fairgrounds project and advance the next phase of redevelopment in Albuquerque’s International District. 

The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart and Representative Janelle Anyanonu, now moves to the House of Representatives. 

“Today’s Senate vote moves us one step closer to a historic revitalization of the International District and central Albuquerque,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This bonding authority Read More