Welcome to the Legislative Roundup, your update on the most important news from the Legislature

Sine Die Adjournment Noon Thursday

PFML Act Defeated on the House Floor

Following three hours of intense debate today, the House of Representatives defeated legislation (Senate Bill 3) that would have imposed a new tax on employers and employees to create and finance a broad and burdensome family and medical leave mandate in New Mexico. The legislation failed by a vote 34-36, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans to prevent it from going to the governor.

Chamber Stood Firm

For each of the past three years, the Chamber has remained steadfastly opposed to this legislation, citing its imposition of a likely escalating tax, its fiscal unsustainability, the ease with which the law could be abused, inadequate protections for employers, the unrealistically large amount of leave (12 weeks!) that would be provided every year for a wide range of purposes involving even non-relatives of employees, and the incredible disruption the legislation would create in workplaces across the state – especially for small businesses. The Chamber wants to recognize Reps. Marian Matthews and Cynthia Borrego – both of whom have a history of running and working with small businesses – for being the two Albuquerque-area Democrats to oppose the legislation.

And Proposed a Better Idea

Early in the session, the Chamber proposed a scaled-back responsible alternative, which would have focused on the provision of maternity leave to ensure mothers had time to bond and care for their children after a birth or adoption and to keep working mothers in the workforce. Other reasonable proposals have also been offered along the way, but unfortunately, at no time have proponents of Senate Bill 3 been willing to make meaningful changes to the legislation to genuinely and substantively address business concerns.

Amendment Sought Exemptions for Certain Companies

Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Bernalillo) offered an amendment that failed 34-36. In summary, the amendment would have exempted businesses providing early childhood services and Medicaid-reimbursed personal care providers from the program until at least Jan. 1, 2029 but employees of these companies would have to pay the payroll tax. The rationale was that reimbursements to these companies are capped by government contracts, so they can't raise prices to offset the new taxes imposed. Also the amendment would have expanded the ability of companies to get an exemption from participating if they had a plan that is somewhat equivalent - in other words making it easier for business or government agencies to opt out. 

So, even before the program is set up, carve outs are being proposed. And if the reason is inability to raise prices, then what about nonprofits, schools and other similar groups? For that matter, why would proponents assume small businesses can just raise their prices? And, why should the businesses be exempt but not the employees? Personal care providers like hospice or disability care workers are paid wages less than working at McDonalds. Losing $125 a year or more may not seem like a big deal to the proponents, but that matters to someone already struggling to make ends meet.

Attempting to amend the bill on the floor also demonstrates that the bill just isn't ready for prime time. If the measure was as fully vetted as represented and if it reflected the concerns of businesses as claimed, then why is an amendment on the fly needed, and why weren't these issues addressed earlier? 

Proponents Don't Understand Small Business

The proponents genuinely don't understand how difficult it is to run a small business, especially in finding qualified employees to fill full-time positions. It's hard to imagine how in the world business owners could find qualified temporary employees. Nurses, welders, electricians, plumbers, personal care workers and hosts of other trades and professions are in shortage, not abundance. In fact more than 30,000 jobs right now are unfilled in our state, according to the Workforce Solutions Department. And, New Mexico has one of the lowest labor participation rates in the nation.

Big Bureaucracy Avoided 

If SB 3 had passed, a massive new bureaucracy would have to be created to handle the administration of the program. Proponents estimate at least 250 new employees would have to be hired. Yet, the Workforce Solutions Department, like so many other state agencies, has a high vacancy rate now - how could they possibly stand this program up? Yet, proponents turned down a very sensible suggestion to contract with a private-sector partner as was proposed in an alternative bill. In Connecticut, for example, AFLAC administers their program and gets high marks for customer service and cost effectiveness.

Thanks to Those Who Voted No

Here is a list of those who voted today to defeat this legislation:

Democratic Representatives: Arthur Allison, Cynthia Borrego, Ambrose Castellano, Harry Garcia, Tara Jaramillo, Wonda Johnson, Raymundo Lara, Patty Lundstrom, Willie Madrid, Marian Matthews, Joseph Sanchez 

Republican Representatives: Republican Representatives: Gail Armstrong, Brian Baca, John Block, Cathrynn Brown, Jack Chatfield, Mark Duncan, Candy Ezzell, Jason Harper, Jared Hembree, Joshua Hernandez, Jenifer Jones, Ryan Lane, Stefani Lord, Alan Martinez, Jimmy Mason, Tanya Mirabal Moya, Rod Montoya, Randall Pettigrew, Andrea Reeb, Bill Rehm, Larry Scott, Luis Terrazas, James Townsend, Harlan Vincent and Martin Zamora.

For the second year in a row essentially the same bill has been rejected. It's time to tear up this version and pull out a blank sheet of paper. There is a path forward, and we're willing to help show the way.

Finance Bills Headed Up to the Governor

Completing its work on major financial matters, the Senate passed the G.O. bond bill by a vote of 39-0, sending it to the governor. Likewise, the House passed SB 275, the capital outlay bill, by a vote of 62-0. Both bills provide funding for capital projects: G.O. bonds are used for higher education facilities, libraries and senior citizen centers. The capital outlay bill funds statewide projects, including a significant boost for road funding, which are selected by the governor. The House and Senate selected projects for their districts that cover a wide range of needs. If you'd like more information, please refer to the February 13 issue of Legislative Roundup.

Public Safety Re-Hiring Just 1 Step Away

This evening the Senate voted 33-2 to send House Bill 236 (the Public Safety Retirees Returning to Work bill and a mirror of Senate Bill 87) to the governor for her signature.

As we have explained, these bills have some serious legal experience, as well as lawmaking power, behind them.

SB 87 is sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Craig W. Brandt (R-Sandoval) and Sen. Daniel A. Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo and an attorney and former prosecutor), but appears stalled in the House. HB 236 is sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (also an attorney) and Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (both D-Bernalillo) and House Minority Floor Leader T. Ryan Lane (R-San Juan and an attorney as well). The bipartisan, bicameral bills set up a short-term return-to-work program as a “bridge” to fill job openings until the training academies and recruiting efforts can catch up.

The careful crafting of these bills has not only law enforcement and court officials but unions on board to address the staffing crisis in our police, sheriff’s, fire, EMT, correctional, probation and parole, and court departments and facilities. (Unions have historically eschewed so-called “double-dipping” proposals that bring back retirees and allow them to continue to collect their pension; they prefer to preserve slots and safeguard advancement opportunities for new recruits. But per the testimony through both chambers, the guardrails in the bill have put those concerns on the back burner.)

The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Albuquerque Police Officers' Association, New Mexico State Police and the Administrative Office of the Courts have testified repeatedly in strong support of the bills, which will allow some retired public safety employees to return to work under carefully crafted guardrails to not only protect their pension fund but also current mid-level and new incoming employees.

And we’ll say it again: When you can have interests as varied as these not only agree, but advocate, on behalf of something, you know you’ve got something worthwhile.

Eligible for rehire are:

Adult correctional officer, adult detention officer, courthouse security officer, emergency medical dispatcher, emergency medical technician or paramedic, firefighter, juvenile correctional officer, juvenile detention officer, municipal police officer, peace officer, public safety telecommunicator, sheriff's deputy, state police officer and protective services investigator.

And those rehired employees can:

•      Return to work while still collecting their pension for three years. They and their employer would pay into the pension fund, but the employee would not accrue service credit. At the end of three years they could opt to continue working and stop collecting their pension or leave.

•      Only fill entry-level, front-line positions provided the vacancy rate of the hiring entity is greater than 10 percent. The “retired member shall have no seniority based on pre-retirement employment for purposes of selecting shifts.”

•      Be considered for rehire if they retired prior to Dec. 31, 2023, and subsequent employment begins prior to July 1, 2027.

Testimony has centered on the fact that staffing levels are at critical, crisis proportions. The corrections facilities’ vacancy rates are running from over 20 percent to 68 percent (the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center has 200 unfilled positions). Court staff, especially in our more rural areas, who have zero security and screening at their entrances, are having to deal with armed folks walking into their buildings.

The Chamber has testified in various House and Senate committees that “we’ve all read the headlines of how hard it is for our law enforcement agencies and jails to hire and retain officers. These bills offer a concrete, financial incentive to help encourage trained, experienced law enforcement, corrections and probation and parole officers to return to work. And, they have smart guardrails to eliminate any chance of abuse by double-dipping early retirees and put the rehires where they are most needed – in front-line positions. Let’s help get more officers in positions that will keep our state safe.”

The bill is headed to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is also an attorney and understands the staffing crisis - she’s worked to shore up police presence in Albuquerque with State Police officers more than once. The Chamber believes HB 236 deserves her signature to get more trained and experienced officers on our streets while recruiters and academies double down to get the next generation of public safety employees hire, trained and on staff.

Law Enforcement Recruiting Cash Goes to Gov.

A bill to increase funding for the recruitment of law enforcement officers across New Mexico has cleared the Legislature and is headed to the governor's desk - the House approved the measure by a vote of 64-1. Senate Bill 175 is sponsored by Sen. Joseph Jaramillo (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe). The bill appropriates $35 million for the recruitment of state and local law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and probation and parole officers across New Mexico. The bill calls on the Department of Finance and Administration to establish criteria for distributing these funds to law enforcement agencies and other entities across the state.

2nd-Degree Murder Sentence Could Fit Crime

Senate Bill 96, a bill proposing to correct a major sentencing disparity for one of the worst crimes on the books, is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature. The bill passed the House on a 49-17 vote.

Currently, first-degree murder is punishable by 30 years to life in prison. Meanwhile, the sentence for second-degree murder is a maximum of 15 years - but as little as no jail time at all. This is a major issue, considering many first-degree murders are pleaded down to second-degree because first-degree is so difficult to prove, House sponsor Rep. Cynthia Borrego (D-Bernalillo) told the House.

SB 96 would increase the basic sentence for second-degree murder to a range of nine to 15 years, to make it the second-highest penalty, appropriate for the second-most serious crime on the books. In addition, the bill increases the penalty for attempted murder as well, from the current maximum of three years to a maximum to nine years.

Earlier in the day, the bill had passed the House Judiciary Committee, its last committee referral, on a narrow 5-3 margin. As before, the Chamber was there in support – in his testimony, GACC lobbyist J.D. Bullington told the committee, “We embolden the criminal element in our state when there aren’t swift and certain consequences for breaking laws.”

In her comments during floor debate, Rep. Andrea Reeb (R-Chaves, Curry and Roosevelt) emphasized the current base sentence isn’t justice. “It is a slap in the face,” the former prosecutor said, to victims’ families, both in light of other crimes’ penalties and our neighboring states’ penalties for second-degree murder.

We agree – and it’s why we’re pleased to see this bill go to the governor. We hope she signs this one swiftly into law.

Speaker “Can’t Wait” to Get Pretrial Release Bill to Gov.

The revolving door is finally starting to slam shut. Earlier this evening, the House passed an important pretrial release bill on a 57-10 vote, sending the bill to the governor’s desk for signature.

Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Bernalillo) explained Senate Bill 271 provides for a defendant to be held automatically without bail if they’re arrested for a subsequent felony while on pretrial release for a previous felony. Over the course of a brief debate on the floor, Dixon explained one of the conditions of release for a defendant as they await trial is that they don’t violate the law while they’re out. Under this bill, if that happens, the defendant will go back before the first judge for their first charge and before a second judge for that second crime for both judges to hear and consider whether the defendant should be released – but they’ll be held pending those hearings.

Earlier today, the bill went before the House Judiciary Committee for its last committee hearing, where it passed on a 7-2 vote. There, the Chamber’s lobbyist J.D. Bullington shared the GACC’s support for the bill, saying, “There’s a very good reason why there’s no opposition to this bill.”

House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Bernalillo) also praised the efforts of sponsor Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo) on the bill as well as the executive’s leadership on the issue. “I will happily vote for this bill, and I can’t wait to get it down to the floor and get it up to the governor.”

We’re glad to see this bill pass – and delighted to hear the governor is enthused about this bill, too. We’re hoping she gives this one a quick signature.

Severance Tax Permanent Fund Gets a Boost

The House approved Senate Bill 217, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D-Santa Fe) by a vote of 62-0, placing the bill on the governor's desk. This is an important bill because it is the second year of a 10-year plan (until 2033) to boost the Severance Tax Permanent Fund (STPF) by $1 billion by making $82 million annual appropriations to the fund. The STPF is a repository for severance tax revenue in excess of what's needed to repay capital outlay bonds (severance tax bonds). Four-point-seven percent of the last five-year average value of the fund is sent annually to the general fund to support government spending without a need for new taxes. 

In the recent past, in no small part due to difficult economic times, so many severance tax bonds were issued that there was very little excess revenue to transfer to the STPF, stifling growth of the fund, which is managed by the State Investment Council. However, with significant excess revenues available in the last few years, the Legislature is financing capital projects with cash instead of bond debt. This means that the corpus of the fund can grow through investment income as well as the $82 million annual appropriation.

The current STPF balance is approximately $10 billion, which contributes about $290 million to the general fund. If the 10-year plan is fully implemented, the 2033 fund balance is estimated to be $31 billion, contributing nearly $1 billion to the general fund. HB 217 is part of the overall strategy of the Legislature to prepare for an expected decline in oil and gas revenues in the future. The idea is to strengthen the state's "savings accounts" so income from fund investments can compensate for any declines in revenues or to be used should difficult economic times befall the state. This is a very strong strategy, and we congratulate the Legislature and the administration for their foresight and prudent planning.

Drug Price Transparency a Signature Away

This evening the Senate voted 37-0 to send House Bill 33, as substituted and amended, to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The measure is designed to shine a spotlight on prescription drug price increases.

HB 33 is sponsored by Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Bernalillo) and Sen. Liz Stefanics (D- Bernalillo, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia). They have said the bill will increase transparency in the prescription drugs supply chain. And while the Senate vote was unanimous, Dr. Sen. Gregg Schmedes (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe & Torrance) warned that this is a bill for transparency to the government, not necessarily patients, and there is much more work to be done to ensure consumers have the information they need and deserve.

One of Herndon and Stefanics’ expert witnesses during committee hearings was likely a convincing factor when it came to the voting: A staggering 44% of New Mexico residents reported they recently did not refill a prescription or are rationing the medication they have due to increasing prices; last year, 4,260 medications’ prices increased, and over half saw increases greater than the rate of inflation.

As GACC President and CEO Terri Cole has said, “transparency is foundational to all business.”

To get New Mexico’s pharmaceutical prices on that path, here’s to the governor signing HB 33!

Public-Private Housing Plan in Home Stretch

With little discussion, the New Mexico Senate voted 26-14 to approve House Bill 195 Wednesday afternoon. The bill builds on a proven existing program to incentivize public-private partnerships, this time on affordable and workforce housing.

Short-titled Housing Fund and Changes, HB 195 is sponsored by Reps. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe) and Meredith A. Dixon, Joy Garratt and Majority Whip Michael Padilla (all D-Bernalillo). The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce supports both the public partnership with the private sector – which helps our job creators and our workforce – and the construction of more affordable housing, which is desperately needed.

Under HB 195, the state will expand Serrato-Dixon legislation from 2022 that has successfully focused on rehabbing and building commercial projects for economic development. That program, the Opportunity Enterprise Act, drew 33 applications (42 percent from rural areas) and has seven projects in the pipeline – including breweries, restaurants and entrepreneurs. HB 195 expands that to providing low-income and affordable housing with an eye on projects that support economic development, i.e. putting the housing where the jobs are. And the sponsors have said there is money in House Bill 2 for the program, which is designed to have $75 million to keep those commercial development projects going and $100 million to get the housing component off the ground.

The Chamber has supported HB 195 throughout the session as a means to help close the housing gap – we need at least 40,000 more units, according to Padilla today, and this new construction funding source targets both those in the workforce as well as those who can’t afford what the market is bearing but don’t qualify for financial assistance.

Under the legislation the state will be:

1.   Partnering with the private sector to create and expand affordable and workforce housing

2.   Providing a mechanism to make loans of up to 40 years to development partners

3.   Beefing up the oversight board with the Executive Director of NMFA and two gubernatorial appointees with experience in housing, building or development, and

4.   Expanding that board’s powers to include evaluating partners and projects for suitability for assistance.

We’ve shared that one expert witness testified in committee that “this is really a finance program that’s designed to incentivize the private sector to move into this space” and in doing this, New Mexico can address its housing supply issue by building more “middle housing” – housing for people who aren’t eligible for affordable housing programs but that’s built to be sold below the market rate. And the Chamber has testified in committees that “this bill is all about partnering with the private sector to create and expand affordable and workforce housing. We need more housing, and encouraging well-vetted partnerships with the private sector is a win-win.”

HB 195 is headed to the governor, and her signature promises to create more jobs and homes for more New Mexicans.

Around the Roundhouse

Sing it Again, Coach!

Coach Lenny Roybal strummed the old gee-tar and serenaded the House with a wonderful rendition of "Won't You Be My Valentine." He's really a good singer - it would be great if he could open every session! It sure puts everyone in a happy place!

More Fond Farewells

As the session winds down, lawmakers are taking time to give heartfelt thanks to colleagues who have decided not to seek re-election. Yesterday the Senate recognized Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-Bernalillo), and today it started with Sen. Mark Moores (R-Bernalillo).

As sometimes happens with controversial pieces of legislation, senators ran the clock. In this case it was to share their memories of working with esteemed colleagues before presenting each with a certificate of appreciation for their service to the state.

The list of lawmakers with a story about Moores was extensive. He was lauded by Republican and Democrats in the chamber as someone who became adept at finding common ground with colleagues. Sen Daniel A. Ivey-Soto (D-Bernalillo) shared that the two were at loggerheads for the first years of Moores’ time in the Senate (he was first elected to his Northeast Albuquerque seat in 2013), but they then established a very positive working relationship – so much so that Ivey-Soto got choked up by the end of his reminiscence. And Sen. Pete Campos (D-Colfax, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, San Miguel and Taos) closed the comments by declaring “Sen. Mark Moores is the gentle giant of the New Mexico Senate.”

Moores himself lost his composure for a moment, saying “I love you all but I love these two more” as he motioned to his wife and child. He then shared that they were expecting a new baby, to much applause.

“This institution is really critical for this republic,” Moores said. “It’s in good hands.”

GACC President and CEO Terri Cole said “Mark is unafraid. He's focused on straight talk about the facts. Combine that with his humor, passion and smarts, and you've got ‘one of a kind.’ I will miss him, and the Senate will miss him. "

The outpouring of thanks was equally impressive for Sen. Steven P. Neville (R-San Juan). Moores quickly composed himself and shared that Neville is “a true gentleman” and never came at issues from a partisan angle; rather, he always focused on how legislation would affect constituents. And Sen. Cliff R. Pirtle (R-Chaves, Eddy and Otero) said often less-experienced lawmakers would “want to charge that hill” and Neville, who joined the chamber in 2005, often cautioned “is this what we really want to do?” The newer lawmakers would go ahead and charge the hill, Pirtle said, then question if they should have just listened to Neville in the first place.

Pirtle also shared that Neville “never had an ill word for anyone” and is someone he “will hold in high regard forever.” Ortiz y Pino reminded the chamber he and Neville came into the Senate in the same freshman class, and Neville quickly garnered the reputation of being someone who “if he says how something will impact (the cities or counties), you better listen. He really knows his stuff.” And Sen. George K. Muñoz (D-Cibola, McKinley and San Juan) said Neville “made big changes, quietly” and will always be “part of the Senate family.”

Cole said "Steve is a friend of business like no other. He could always be counted on to support hard-working business owners. His graciousness and willingness to hear from everyone is one of his most admirable qualities. He will be missed."

Neville said “it is not without some regret that I leave here,” but that his wife likely has less regret as his retirement will mean more family and vacation time.

Also retiring from the Senate is Sen. Ron Griggs (R-Doña Ana, Eddy and Otero), who has served in the Chamber since 2012.

Griggs was credited by fellow senators for his extensive work on bringing infrastructure improvements to his district, including a solution to the Brine Well crisis, and for his expertise in tax issues.

Sen. Gregory A. Baca (R-Bernalillo and Valencia) said he calls Griggs the “state’s mayor” for his focus on constituents, and shared that whenever things would get heated, he could count on Griggs to bring the temperature down to where it needed to be. Majority Floor Leader Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) commended Griggs for his bipartisanship on tax, water and liquor issues. Majority Whip Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Bernalillo), said Griggs “always had a gentle touch” and the ability to talk him down after a tense debate by saying “tomorrow’s another day. He could question you for two hours and vote against your bill, and somehow you’d still feel good about it.”

And Sen. Benny Shendo Jr. (D-Bernalillo, McKinley, Rio Arriba, San Juan and Sandoval) and chair of the chamber’s Tax Committee, gave Griggs his committee nameplate, where he is ranking member.

“Ron always had a unique ability to keep the main thing the main thing," Cole said. "That ability helped to keep everyone focused on the problem legislators were trying to solve. Also, his experience as a former mayor was an important perspective he brought to debates. We'll miss him."

Griggs told his colleagues, “the Senate is a special place, and it will always be special to me.”

Sen. Brenda G. McKenna (D-Bernalillo and Sandoval) will also be leaving the Senate. She joined the chamber in 2021 as part of the “class of Covid” and learned to navigate the pandemic and the Roundhouse at the same time.

Her colleagues voiced admiration for her dedication to animal issues, including getting trapping on state lands banned as well as coyote killing contests. Sen. Leo Jaramillo (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe) shared that when they were isolating during the pandemic “she would bring homemade tortillas and say ‘here’s a piece of home for you.’ ”

Sen. Benny Shendo Jr. (D-Bernalillo, McKinley, Rio Arriba, San Juan and Sandoval) quipped “I guess her love of animals taught her how to herd cats” as caucus chair.

McKenna said she was always cognizant that as lawmakers “we have more responsibility. It’s not just a title, I’ve always reminded myself.”

Dr. Sen. Gregg Schmedes (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Torrance) was the final senator who’s leaving after this term to be honored tonight. Schmedes (he shared tonight it rhymes with Mercedes) was a state representative from 2018-2020 and joined the Senate in 2021.

Minority Floor Leader Sen. Gregory A. Baca (R-Bernalillo and Valencia) said he met Schmedes as an expert witness and then,as now, was impressed with “the knowledge that he has, the time he takes on a bill.” Baca cited his “eloquent testimony” that gave us “a different way of thinking, a different way forward. … He leads you in the right direction.”

Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Sandoval) told Schmedes it was an “honor to serve with you and an honor to call you a friend, and I appreciate what you’ve done on this floor. The way you come at bills is so different. I often wonder ‘why didn’t I think of that?’”

At least two senators recounted that Schmedes had counseled them on serious medical problems with a calm but clear direction to get things take care of.

Schmedes told his colleagues “I love connecting with people. I wish all of you the best of success and the best of health.” And he shared that when constituents come up and ask what an upcoming session will be like, “I tell them there are so many good people here in the Senate. That’s what I tell them about this place.”

Will Smokey Get his Own License Plate?

On his 80th birthday, Smokey would like nothing more than to get his own personalized license plate. HB 251 passed the House tonight by a vote of 62-0. And there might be just enough time Thursday morning to move the bill all the way to the governor's desk. There was a minor miracle of sorts - Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Sandoval and Santa Fe) actually voted for a specialty license plate bill, which earned a round of applause. McQueen is noted for his general dislike of specialty plates and continues to urge adoption of rules to guide selection of such. Looks like Smokey Bear even got to him!

Signing Off from Santa Fe

The session is grinding down to the final hours. Most all of the must-dos have been checked off the list. The House wrapped up its business around 8:30 p.m., and the Senate around an hour later. We'll be back to cover the final hours of the session in the morning right up to sine die adjournment. We'll see you tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening. 

The Legislative Roundup, published during the New Mexico Legislative Session by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, provides information on local and state public policy and business issues that affect you.

For questions, please email D'Val Westphal at dwestphal@greaterabq.com.