Hello fellow political junkies!

The election is over (for good or ill) so the interim legislative session is roaring on in preparation for the upcoming regular legislative session in January.

So basically, we’re about the same as we were in September, just without all of the campaign paraphernalia that was most likely sneered at before being either ignored or trashed, depending on the format.

Since those of us who pay close attention to this stuff are no longer annoyed and worrying about how this round of democracy will go, at least for a time, the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session begins in a little more than two months, on Jan. 21. Legislators can prefile legislation beginning on January 2.

Happy New Year! Here’s some work.

We go from electing or re-electing state leadership to seeing them in action. 

Will there be another marathon Saturday night session where only three bills were discussed and one rolled to the next day’s session? Maybe.

One of those bills, HB 151 concerning affirmative consent, was covered by NM Political Report.

Long nights in the upcoming session will likely take place near the end. 

As we get closer to Jan. 21, NM Political Report will have more about what to expect during the session including what to expect during budget and appropriations negotiations.

Upcoming interim committee meetings

Interim Land Grant Committee will meet Nov. 18 in Room 307 at the State Capitol.

Tobacco Revenue Oversight Committee will meet Nov. 18 in Room 309 at the State Capitol.

Interim Legislative Finance Committee will meet Nov. 18-22 in Room 322 at the State Capitol.

Interim Health and Human Services Committee will meet Nov. 19-22 in Room 307 at the State Capitol.

Interim Science, Technology and Telecommunications Committee will meet Nov. 24-25 in Room 317 at the State Capitol.

Interim Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee will meet Nov. 25 in Room 322 at the State Capitol.

Committee meeting times and locations are subject to change based on the call of the chair.

For more information about interim committee meetings, visit nmlegis.gov and click the Committees tab at the top of the screen.

Meanwhile on the Hill

U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat representing New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District introduced the Veteran Benefits Enhancement Act on Nov. 12.

The bill aims to amend the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to clarify treatment military retirement pay related to unemployment and sick benefits, a press release stated. 

“The Veteran Benefits Enhancement Act aims to ensure that veterans can access the support they need without unnecessary barriers,” Stansbury said in the press release. “It is our duty to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve. By clarifying how military retirement pay is treated under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, we are taking a significant stride toward supporting our veterans as they transition back into civilian life.”

Also:

  • U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico, voted in favor of H.R.82, the Social Security Fairness Act, which strengthens Social Security benefits for public servants. Vasquez understands that those who have worked hard should not be penalized for providing for their families. That’s why he co-sponsored this bill in his first year in office to address these issues, a press release about the legislation states.
  • U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, cosponsored the Tax Relief for New Businesses Act, legislation to provide more tax relief to entrepreneurs looking to start a small business, and reduce barriers for startups. The Tax Relief for New Businesses Act will increase the startup tax deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 and allow businesses to write off more expenses to compensate for the increasing cost of starting a business.
  • U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-New Mexico, and Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer, D-Virginia, Kim Schrier, D-Washington, and Jeff Van Drew, R-New Jersey, announced their reintroduction of the Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation aims to address the rate of medical diagnostic errors in our country to prevent and mitigate the impacts these errors can have, including misdiagnosis, permanent disability and death. 

Tips, subscriptions and more

Have a news tip? Email me at nicole@NMPoliticalReport.com. 

This is one of several newsletters produced by NM Political Report, check them out here. 

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–Nicole Maxwell