Blog: New Mexico Legislative Roundup, 2022
New Mexico is one of several Western states that has recently promoted and passed successful conservation and climate policies, thanks in great part to state leaders from the state’s Hispanic and Native American communities.
The most recent 2022 30-day legislative session ended with many successes and opportunities left on the table, as lawmakers, working with diverse coalitions of New Mexicans, introduced strong conservation and climate legislation but ran out of time to fully explore these new bills. New Mexico rotates between a shorter budget-focused session and a more expansive policy-focused session from year to year.
Some of the notable successes from the session include:
HB164, Uranium Cleanup (Sens. Steinborn and Pinto, Reps. Sariñana, Johnson and Allison): This law, although unfunded for specific cleanup projects, will create a strategic cleanup plan and establish a fund to eventually fund reclamation projects. There are more than 130 unreclaimed uranium mines in New Mexico that impact rural and Native American communities.
HJR1 (Reps. Chandler, Allison, Luján, Serrato and Sweetser) was passed in both chambers and will ask voters to decide this year on proposed constitutional changes to allow the state government to invest in the utility needs of low-income New Mexicans without being subject to the the anti-donation clause.
HB37 (Rep. Ortez) A companion to HJR1, this low-income energy efficiency would provide $10 million for the first-of-its-kind project to support energy-efficiency improvements for low-income New Mexicans to finance projects that could retrofit their homes to save money and lower energy use.
Solar Tax Credit Extension, HB 163 (Rep. Ferrary, Sen. Soules) This provision, included in the tax package, will extend the solar rooftop tax credit, replenish the program’s funds, and make the credit eligible for a tax rebate.
Some of the bills HECHO was watching that didn’t make the cut include:
The Clean Future Act, HB6 (Rep. Small) This bill was designed to set a target to curb emissions by 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, and for the state to be net zero by 2050. The bill was opposed by the oil and gas industry and was unsuccessful.
The Nuclear Storage Bill, HB137 (Sen. Steinborn, Rep. McQueen) This bill would have banned high-level nuclear waste from being stored in New Mexico, in direct response to the proposed Holtec nuclear storage facility in southeast New Mexico.
SB8, Voting Rights Act (Sen. Wirth, Hamblen, Pope, Reps. Martinez, Duhigg) This comprehensive voting rights overhaul, supported by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham failed to pass after a filibuster from legislators. The bill would have restored felons’ voting rights, made it easier to access absentee ballots, allowed voters to vote online with their social security number, allow for automatic voter registration after transactions at the motor vehicle division, and expand ballot boxes across the state.
The proposed Land of Enchantment General Obligation (GO) Bond also failed, and would have asked voters to approve a $50 million bond for investments that protect and conserve lands, waters, and wildlife, while also providing funding for outdoor recreation.
There were several other bills that failed to make the cut, including legislation to establish a Reforestation Center, increase Acequia Community and Ditch funding, a sustainable building tax credit, and the water data implementation act.
HECHO looks forward to working with New Mexico leaders to ensure that Hispanic communities and Hispanic leaders are represented and are successful in the decision-making process on important state legislation in New Mexico.
Sincerely,
The HECHO Team