Included in this email:
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Call to Action
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Pre-Written Letters
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Composition of the NM Legislature
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Attend the Meetings
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Legis Recap
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Bills to Watch
Call to Action!
Speak during the committee hearing
🟥SB  204 FIREARMS ON PLAYGROUNDS
Would ban carrying a firearm at a park or playground leaving families defenseless to violent criminal attacks.
SENATE HEALTH AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 1:00 or 1/2 HR after floor session 311
For public participation and to register for the Zoom Webinar send email to SHPAC.Zoom@nmlegis.gov
To attend meeting via Zoom Webinar click the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81287336647
Webinar ID: 812 87336647, Zoom Call: 1 719 359 4580
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
jortizyp@msn.com,  bill.tallman@nmlegis.gov, gregg.schmedes@nmlegis.gov , martin.hickey@nmlegis.gov, antonio.maestas@nmlegis.gov , steven.mccutcheon@nmlegis.gov, brenda.mckenna@nmlegis.gov, a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov, greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov
WATCH Sen. Schmedes explains how this bill will make parks more dangerous for families. (Click on the video below)
🟥HB  144 OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Creates the bureaucratic “Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention.”
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM - Room 309
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82777125960
Or One tap mobile :+12532050468,,82777125960#
US Webinar ID: 827 7712 5960
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov, andrea@andrearomero.com, bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov, Â eliseo.alcon@nmlegis.gov, Â gail@gailchasey.com, Â RYAN@LANEFORLIBERTY.COM, javier.martinez@nmlegis.gov, Â matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov, jared.hembree@nmlegis.gov, Andrea.Reeb@nmlegis.gov, Â reena.szczepanski@nmlegis.gov
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🟥HB  129 FIREARM SALE WAITING PERIOD CRIMES
Adds a 14-day waiting period to a firearm purchase.
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 1:30 PM or 1/2 hour after floor session 321
For public participation and to register for the Zoom Webinar send email to SJC.Zoom@nmlegis.gov.
Include bill number, proponent or opponent and if you will be attending in person or via zoom.
To attend meeting via the Zoom Webinar click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502543362
Meeting ID: 815 02543362, Zoom Call: 1-253-205-0468
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov, katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov, cliff.pirtle@nmlegis.gov, greg.baca@nmlegis.gov, daniel.ivey-soto@nmlegis.gov, mark.moores@nmlegis.gov, BILL@BILLONEILL4NM.COM, mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov, peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov
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đźź©HJR 8 DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY, CA
Limit the governor’s emergency powers to 90 days unless she gets a 3/5 approval vote from the legislature.
HOUSE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS AND INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 8:30 AM - Room 305
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84200839142
Or One tap mobile : +17193594580,,84200839142#
US Webinar ID: 842 0083 9142
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov, natalie.figueroa@nmlegis.gov, martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov, Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov, John.Block@nmlegis.gov, gail@gailchasey.com, dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov, Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov, bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov
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🟥HB  179 LIQUOR TAX CHANGES & USES
Would increase prices on beer and cider by 651%, wine by 376%, spirits by 353%, and fortified wine by 161%.
HOUSE TAXATION & REVENUE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 8:30 AM - Room 317
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86372062936
Or One tap mobile : +13462487799,,86372062936#
US Webinar ID: 863 7206 2936
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov, micaela.cadena@nmlegis.gov, JasonHarperNM@gmail.com, Cynthia.Borrego@nmlegis.gov, ambrose.castellano@nmlegis.gov, christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov, Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov, doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov, joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov, Â javier.martinez@nmlegis.gov, kristina.ortez@nmlegis.gov, larry.scott@nmlegis.gov, linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov, townsend@pvtn.net
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đźź©HBÂ Â 248 SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME TAX EXEMPTION CAP
Removing the income cap for the social security income exemption pursuant to the income tax act.
HOUSE COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM - Room 317
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85993976266
Or One tap mobile : +13462487799,,85993976266# US (Houston)
Webinar ID: 859 9397 6266
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov, linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov, joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov, Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov, Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov, derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov, Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov, patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov, Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov, Jimmy.Mason@nmlegis.gov, marian.matthews@nmlegis.gov
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đźź©HBÂ Â 280 FLAT INCOME TAX RATE
Creating a flat individual income tax rate of one percent.
HOUSE COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM - Room 317
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85993976266
Or One tap mobile : +13462487799,,85993976266#
US (Houston) Webinar ID: 859 9397 6266
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov, linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov, joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov, Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov, Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov, derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov, Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov, patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov, Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov, Jimmy.Mason@nmlegis.gov, marian.matthews@nmlegis.gov
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🟥SJR  8 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CA
Government power grab in the name of environmental rights.
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 8:00am 321
For public participation and to register for the Zoom Webinar send email to SRC.Zoom@nmlegis.gov.
To attend meeting via Zoom Webinar click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81944191844
Webinar ID: 8194419 1844,
Zoom Call: 1 669 900 9128
To send an email, copy the contact info for this committee below:
katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov, leo.jaramillo@nmlegis.gov, greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov, greg.baca@nmlegis.gov, linda.lopez@nmlegis.gov, brenda.mckenna@nmlegis.gov, mark.moores@nmlegis.gov, jortizyp@msn.com, cliff.pirtle@nmlegis.gov, lstefanics@msn.com, mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov
To be heard on the Senate Floor soon:
SB 69 14-DAY FIREARM SALE WAITING PERIOD
Requires a 14-day waiting period for firearm purchases.
SB 3 PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Would codify a 12-week paid family medical leave. Employees will be required to contribute an additional .5% of their wages and employers an additional .4% to this fund.
To be heard on the House Floor soon:
HB 114 FIREARM INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Would make the firearms industry an easy target for litigation that could threaten many businesses.
HB 27 EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER CHANGES
Seeks to expand the State Red Flag Gun Confiscation Law. It empowers law enforcement officers and unspecified licensed healthcare professionals to petition for extreme risk protective orders. Immediate firearm surrender is required upon service of these orders.
HB 127 AGE 21 FOR FIREARM PURCHASES
Raises the minimum age to purchase or possess a firearm to 21 years old.
HB 133 OIL & GAS ACT CHANGES
Amends the Oil and Gas Act and institute new gas-killing regulations.
HB 137 GAS-OPERATED SEMIAUTO FIREARMS EXCLUSION ACT
Semiautomatic rifle ban and gun registry.
➡Send an email to your legislators and ask them to oppose these bills.
Your letter can be as simple as the following template:
Subject line: Please oppose <insert bill #> or Please support <insert bill #>
Dear Legislators,
I am asking you to please oppose/support <insert bill#>. I do/do not support this bill because <insert reason>.
Thank you,
Name
Address
Pre-written letters to send to your representatives:
Via: BetterTogetherNM
Stop the Governor’s Gun and Magazine Ban! Oppose HB 137.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=2175
Stop SB 204 - the park gun ban!Â
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=218
Stop the 14-Day Waiting Period
Stop SB 69!
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21773
Stop the 14-Day Waiting Period
Stop HB 129!
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21594
Oppose HB 127.
Stop the Firearms and Magazines Ban for 18-20-year-old Citizens!
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21729
Stop SB 5!
Tell your representatives in Santa Fe to stop the Polling Place Gun Free Zone.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21597
Stop PMFLA in the House - HB 6!
This regulation would devastate NM businesses.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21642
Stop PMFLA in the Senate - SB 3!Â
This regulation would devastate NM businesses.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21816
Support Women in Sports!
HB205 Women's Bill of Rights
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21829
Stop legislators from raising NM's gas prices unnecessarily!
Stop HB 41.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21743
Save the Industry that Funds NM!
Stop HB 133 Oil and Gas Act Changes.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21739
School Choice Works. Support HB105!
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21868
Stop Endangering the Public with "Catch and Release"
Support SJR 11!
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21755
Stop the Gun and Ammunition Tax!
Oppose SB 90.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21753
Stop the Red Flag Gun Confiscation Expansion! Stop HB 27.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=21756
More pre-written letters here: https://bettertogethernewmexico.org/take-action/
Composition of the NM Legislature
There are currently 45 Democrats and 25 Republicans in the House of Representatives.
There are currently 27 Democrats and 15 Republicans in the Senate.
Attend the Meetings
Stream online or attend in person
Attend in person:
New Mexico State Capitol
490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Legislative Recap
🟥HB 180 – Parenting and Pregnancy Resource Website and Hotline. Tabled by Democrats on a party-line vote on Wednesday in the House Health and Human Services committee.
WATCH: Rep. Jenifer Jones gives her thoughts on HB 180 to the House Floor. (Click on the video below)
🟥HJR 3 – Remove the requirements that only courts of record may deny bail and that only prosecuting authorities may request a hearing to determine whether bail is denied, to allow courts to deny bail for all types of criminal offenses. Tabled by Democrats in the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee on Friday.
🟥HB 129 – Adds a 14-day amended to a 7-day waiting period for a firearm purchase. It passed on the House Floor 37-33 on Friday, despite all Republicans opposing the bill along with several Democrats.
(See who voted for and against this bill below. Click to expand the image.)
🟩On Saturday, a big 2A rally was held at the Roundhouse, where many citizens, 2A advocates, and Republican legislators spoke out in defense of New Mexicans’ constitutional rights.
(Photos via Ben Luna)
WATCH this ad about the governor’s proposed gun ban. (Click on the video below)
🟥HB 41 – Clean Transportation Fuels Standard would result in gas prices being raised by .50 a gallon or more. It passed on the House Floor 36-33 on Sunday with all Republicans voting against it, joined by a few conservative Democrats.
(See who voted for and against this bill below. Click on the image to expand.)
 
🟥SB 3 – Would codify a 12-week paid family medical leave. Employees will be required to contribute an additional .5% of their wages and employers an additional .4% to this fund. Democrats in the Senate rejected a motion by Senator Sharer to send the bill to the Senate Judiciary for an additional review because of the penalties and others that would decimate small businesses.
WATCH: Sen. Brantley & Guests discuss Paid Family Medical Leave and Session Update with days remaining! (Click on the video below)
Senator Bill Sharer and Senator Crystal Brantley Issue Statement on Advancement of PFML Tax
February 3, 2024
Legislation will raise taxes on New Mexico employees and employersÂ
SANTA FE—Today, the Senate Finance Committee advanced the Paid Family Medical Leave Act on a vote of 6-5 with all Senate Republicans voting against the measure. The bill would impose a mandatory tax on every New Mexico business with five or more employees and an additional tax on the employees’ paychecks. Contributions would feed a state fund to pay out up to 12 weeks of paid leave.Â
“Today was a contrast between responsible government and idealistic thinking,” said Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington), the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee. “Not only did the sponsor choose to implement an additional tax on small businesses and employees, but two of the three projections indicate this fund will soon be insolvent. We have a multi-billion dollar surplus, and yet, Senate Democrats are choosing to implement another tax.”
“No one understands the importance of maternity leave better than a mother,” added Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte). “However, this bill is not universal parental leave. Rather, it’s a wide-open invitation for fraud with limited guardrails that will harm small businesses and raise taxes on hardworking New Mexicans. With this vote, progressive Democrats continue to demonstrate their insatiable appetite for higher taxes and more government control.”
Senate Bill 3 will now be considered by the full Senate.
Bills to Watch
(➡Has been moved to the RPNM website. Click button below.)