By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council approved its legislative priorities for the upcoming 60-day session, with some revisions, during Tuesday’s meeting in Council Chambers.

Items the Council supports with the following revision: “Legislation that improves access to behavior health and availability of medical professionals including but not limited to interjurisdictional compacts and options for malpractice reform.” Another revision to items the council supports was “Measures that support New Mexico and Los Alamos County climate action plans including renewable and nuclear energy options and resource protection initiatives.”

County Intergovernmental Affair Manager Danielle Duran presented the priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session. This included supporting improved educational outcomes and schools’ ability to meet their goals, particularly Los Alamos Public Schools.

Additionally, the County supported the bill for Paid Family Medical Leave and to ensure there is sufficient funding for mitigating wildfires. There is a priority for increasing infrastructure funding for entities participating in the Los Alamos economic development initiatives including the North Central Regional Transit District, Española, Rio Arriba County and others.

Another priority is infrastructure that supports Los Alamos National Laboratory’s mission. The County also gave its support to the priorities for New Mexico counties and the New Mexico Municipal League.

Items the County would like to monitor during the session include tax reform, federal funds availability and the anti-donation clause.

In other business council:

• Unanimously approved a liquor license for Origami Restaurant.
• Unanimously approved a resolution for establishing minimum standards for reasonable notice of County meetings
• Agreed to reschedule the March 4 regular council meeting to March 11 due to the National Association of Councils legislative conference being held at the same time.
  
• Heard an update from Duran on current and regional governmental issues. She reported that the County continues to meet with San Ildefonso Pueblo about the broadband project and a memorandum of agreement was signed with Rio Arriba County and Española for a landfill feasibility study. A contract for the study also was completed. Discussions are happening with Pojoaque Pueblo on housing and the County is working with the Department of Energy on a workforce development event in April. Duran added that the County signed an agreement with an assisted outpatient treatment pilot program that is funded by state and run by the First District Court in New Mexico to help with those who need mental health assistance. Duran said that Los Alamos County’s “Day at the Legislature” is March 12 and she invited councilors to attend.
• Received a briefing on the State of the County. Cull highlighted that in 2024, Anne Laurent was hired as the new County Manager, several County departments earned accreditation, initiatives such as the Climate Action Plan, Comprehensive Health Plan and Affordable Housing Plan were completed and projects including broadband, Foxtail Flats solar energy and storage project, Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project and the White Rock Water Resource Reclamation Facility were completed.