Wins, losses, surprises, and stunning moments. It’s all part of what has become known as “sausage making” during a legislative session.
In an earlier column I noted the number of bills that were introduced in the recent 30-day session – 685 to be exact (not including resolutions and memorials.) That number is lower than in recent sessions. Only 72 of those bills made it through both chambers. A handful have been signed and others await the Governor’s signature or veto.
HB1, which is always the first to pass a session, covers the expenses for staff, supplies, and per diem for a legislative session. It was signed immediately by the governor.
Some bills consumed the maximum time for debate. Here are three that made it past the finish line and are on the governor’s desk.
HB 41, the Clean Fuel Standards Act sponsored by Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, passed the Senate just a day and a half before the session ended.
HB129, which creates a seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases, and SB 5, prohibiting firearms in polling places, enjoyed extensive debate. These bills passed both chambers by thin margins.
Other bills range from under the radar to extremely popular.
A little publicized bill was SB 15, the Healthcare Consolidation Oversight Act, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque. The act allows the Office of Superintendent of Insurance to oversee the sale or merger of health systems in New Mexico. The OSI is charged with determining how any merger or acquisition will affect price, access, and quality of care for New Mexicans.
More easily passed bills include required background checks for workers, water project bills, and salary increases for judges.
The most popular bill of all, SB 275, also known as the pork bill, has $1.4 billion for projects throughout New Mexico. It passed unanimously.
A major surprise came in the closing days. Sponsors Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, were caught off guard when SB 3, the Paid Family Medical Leave Act failed. It passed the Senate along party lines and failed in the House where 11 Democrats joined Republicans to kill the bill.
Roundhouse speculation is that lobbyists for the bill and some supporters wrongly assured Speaker Javier Martinez that the votes were there to pass it by a narrow margin. Instead, it failed 36-34.
One stunning moment came during Senate debate of that same bill. Sen. Gregg Schmedes, R-Tijeras, rose to oppose the bill. “I believe in depravity,” he said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “The problem with you (meaning those supporting the bill) is that you believe in the inherent good of people. I don’t believe that.” Fortunately, Schmedes announced on the last day he would not seek re-election to his seat.
And speaking of the last day…. The House took no action on any legislation that day even though a number of bills were on the calendar. The chamber gaveled in at 10 a.m., said goodbye to retiring members, and adjourned at noon as required by law.
Meanwhile in the Senate, an unusual amount of time was consumed as Republicans and Democrats alike praised Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, who is not running again. During the 2023 legislative session Pirtle was caught in an embarrassing, inappropriate relationship with another senator’s legislative aide. It was widely reported in statewide news. Pirtle has long claimed to be a strong family man, yet he embarrassed his wife, children, and some colleagues with his blatant indiscretion. Meanwhile, as is his custom, Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, capped off the day by debating a bill until the clock ran out. If only he had started his filibuster before the adulation of Sen. Pirtle.