Senate Chamber [Source] Translate

The meeting focused on House Joint Memorial 3, which aims to ensure the New Mexico Environment Department prioritizes the implementation of the PFAS Protection Act. The memorial requests the department to engage with stakeholders and report findings by set deadlines. Senator Stewart explained that the memorial directs budget resources towards PFAS work and facilitates stakeholder engagement. However, Senator Townsend expressed concerns about the memorial's language, suggesting it mischaracterizes the authority of the PFAS Protection Act regarding labeling and regulatory requirements for exempt products. Senator Stewart clarified that the memorial does not grant new powers but seeks to gather information and study the issue further. The Senate voted on House Joint Memorial 3 with no objections, positioning it as a means to enhance understanding and regulation of PFAS substances in New Mexico. The meeting then moved on to other legislative memorials concerning environmental and public health issues. Senate Joint Memorial 3 was voted on and passed with 22 in favor and 13 against, aiming to gather stakeholders for further study on PFAS issues. Senate Memorial 20 was introduced, requesting the Department of Health to convene a youth violence summit, which passed unanimously with 35 votes. Senate Memorial 21 called for a study on a statewide overdose prevention program due to high overdose death rates and also passed unanimously. Senate Memorial 22 focused on clarity and responsibility in domestic violence funding and services, passing with 34 votes in favor. Senate Memorial 27 urged state departments to promote the expansion of the Radiation Exposure Act for compensation to those affected by radiation exposure, passing unanimously. The meeting included a message from the governor regarding Senate Bill 74, which aims to revise penalties for cockfighting, emphasizing stronger protections for roosters. The session concluded with announcements and a unanimous consent request to remove House Joint Memorial II from the Rules Committee, which was approved. The Senate then recessed until the following morning.