During the 2022 election and as the 2023 legislative session began, crime has been a major concern for most New Mexicans. Candidates for office and previously elected legislators vowed to pass laws to reduce crime. What we’re seeing, however, is that some of those officials have voted to kill bills that would hold criminals accountable and help improve public safety.
Read more about why where we’re off track and how we hope to see a better ending to the 60 day session, HERE.
Here are examples of public safety bills that have been stopped in committee:
- SB174: Pretrial Release Hearing Standards, sponsored by Sen Gregg Schmedes would have directed judges to enforce stricter rules for holding people before trial. This bill was killed on Wednesday in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee by Senators: Gerald Ortiz y Pino, Brenda McKenna, Bill Tallman, and Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez. NMBC thanks Senators Gregg Schmedes, David Gallegos, and Antonio Maestas who voted in favor of SB 174. Read more HERE.
- HB61, HB60, HB59, HB58, HB57: These bills would have provided increased penalties for felons using guns, those dealing in Fentanyl and other pro-safety measures. Unfortunately, Reps Joanne Ferrary, Angelica Rubio, Andrea Romero, and Liz Thompson killed all of these bills. NMBC thanks Reps John Block and Stefani Lord for voting in favor of these Bills. Rep Bill Rehm, a sponsor of the bills, spoke with the New Mexico Sun, expressing his frustrations with the committee votes. Read more HERE.