Senate Chamber [Source] Translate

The meeting began with the Senate Majority Floor Leader, Dieter Peterworth, addressing committee reports. The Finance Committee recommended House Bill 332 pass as amended, which was adopted by voice vote. The Judiciary Committee reported that Senate Bill 101 was duly enrolled and prepared for signing. The Rules Committee recommended passing House Bill 287 and House Joint Memorial 3, which was also adopted. Senator Peterworth outlined the agenda, leading to the third reading of legislation. House Bill 80, focused on environmental protection, passed with a vote of 30 in favor and 0 against after being presented by Senator Munoz. House Bill 332, which reauthorizes 384 capital projects, was debated extensively, particularly regarding an amendment by Senator Scherer to strike funding for an abortion clinic in Las Cruces. The amendment failed with 15 votes in favor and 23 against. Senator Campos introduced House Bill 8, creating a fund for previously ineligible projects, which passed unanimously with 38 votes in favor. Senator Padilla presented House Bill 7, maintaining the annual distribution from the Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund at $5 million, which passed with 29 votes in favor. Senator Bergman introduced House Bill 153, focusing on sustainable industrial practices, which passed with 30 votes in favor and 6 against. The meeting also discussed a proposed bill mandating a 40% reduction in carbon emissions, raising concerns about costs and effectiveness. Senator Pinto inquired about merged bills, expressing concerns about local material sourcing and potential monopolies. Senator Bergman clarified that the program would benefit multiple companies and confirmed that eligible products must be manufactured in New Mexico. The bill passed with 30 votes in favor and 6 against. Senator Soles moved to reconsider House Bill 253, which passed with 39 votes in favor after an amendment extending the evaluation deadline for virtual schools was adopted. Other bills, including House Bill 156, House Bill 255, and House Bill 291, passed with significant support. Senator Padilla emphasized unity in the chamber as the meeting moved to House Bill 4, which passed with a vote of 24 in favor and 12 against. Senator Soles introduced House Bill 96, creating a space commission working group, which passed unanimously. Senator Figueroa presented House Bill 47, ensuring the state pays 80% of health insurance premiums for school employees, which passed with 36 votes in favor. The meeting concluded with the introduction of House Bill 184 by Senator Trujillo, which aimed to make technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and passed with 25 votes in favor and 11 against. Senator Nava introduced House Bill 124, establishing the Office of New Americans Division to support immigrants. The bill faced debate regarding its implications for legal and undocumented individuals, ultimately passing with 22 votes in favor and 12 against. The meeting concluded with a recess announcement, with both Senate Democrats and Republicans indicating their respective meeting locations.