Legislative Roundup
SFNM News:
Another cup of java, please: State Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, was sipping a cup of coffee during a Senate Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday morning, but maybe he needed a second one.
First, Sharer tried to table Senate Memorial 44, which would re-create a 400 Years of Freedom, Restrictions and Survival exhibition that opened at the state fair last summer. It aims to raise awareness about the scourge of slavery.
“I’m not interested in spreading more hatred around,” Sharer said.
The memorial’s sponsor, Sen. Antoiniette Sedillo-Lopez, D-Albuquerque, said she did not understand the comment.
Then, when faced with House Joint Memorial 6, which would convene a task force to study ways to promote the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, Sharer said he did not want to support a route that led to oppression of people named Shendo at the hands of people named Romero.
One of the memorial’s sponsors is Rep. Andrés Romero, D-Albuquerque.
“I guess I’m just being the contrarian today,” Sharer said as he took another sip from his coffee mug. “I’m not gonna fight for you. I’m not gonna fight against you.”
But he voted against the proposal. Nonetheless, the committee moved both memorials to the full Senate for consideration.
Civics lesson: Seniors from Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque toured the state Capitol on Tuesday and talked with some of their legislators, including Albuquerque Democratic Reps. Moe Maestas and Joy Garratt.
Praising the students’ professional attire, Garratt said, “I don’t see Volcano Vista high-schoolers. I see the leaders of tomorrow.”
Senior Lila Nezar said it’s important for students her age to realize “we can shape policy in the future … once we get the right to vote, it’s important to know our voices can be heard.”
Garratt agreed, recalling that as a high school student, she belonged to a civics group called Dialogue where she learned “my voice could make a difference”.
Fire marshal’s move: After three hours of debate Tuesday, the House approved a bill to move the State Fire Marshal’s Office from the Public Regulation Commission to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The bill accompanied a broader PRC reorganization measure that stalled in a Senate committee Tuesday night.
Wildlife trafficking: The House on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 75, which would authorize New Mexico law enforcement to apprehend traffickers of endangered wildlife.
Penalties for criminal convictions would range from one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000 to a fine of up to $25,000 or three times the value of the product. Owners of antiques or heirlooms containing ivory or parts from other endangered animals would not be affected by the legislation, which now heads to the Governor’s Office after a 44-22 vote.
Looking ahead: A few last committee hearings will be held early today as the 2020 legislative session nears an end at noon Thursday.
For example, at 9 a.m. the House Education Committee will consider a bill to award high school diplomas to Vietnam War veterans who left to fight in the conflict, and at 8:30 a.m. the Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would ensure all law enforcement officers who work on school campuses are properly trained.
Visit nmlegis.gov and click on “What’s Happening” to get an updated schedule of House and Senate floor and committee calendars for the last full day of the session.
No kidding: While standing by to hear a bill Tuesday, senators told a series of jokes, referred to offhandedly as “improv at the state senate”. Here are some highlights:
“What do you call a deer with no eyes? No ideer.” — Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell
“What do you call a sleeping doe? A bulldozer.” — Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque
“What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear.” — Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque
“What do you call a cow with no legs? Brown beef.” — Sen. Bill Payne, R-Albuquerque
“What did the fish say when he ran into the concrete wall? Damn.” — Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces
Quote of the day: “I’m exhausted. I pick out my wardrobe and wonder what would be most comfortable to sleep in.” —Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, commenting on House floor debates that have lasted to midnight.
