Legislative session ends, what bills made it through?
Mar 23, 2025
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) –The legislative session is officially over and the last few bills to make it over the finish line are on their way to the governor's desk. Bills that passed and failed drew mixed reactions from the governor and lawmakers.
More than 1,100 bills were introduced this sess
ion; many covering the state's foster care system, crime, and education. With the session closed, nearly 200 of those bills passed, while others stalled. After countless hours of debate, lawmakers have wrapped up the 60-day legislative session – but what made it through?
A top priority promised this session included legislation surrounding reforming the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). A bipartisan House bill creating the Office of the Child Advocate, HB 5, was signed by the governor despite her expressing it wasn't what she wanted. A bi-partisan Senate omnibus package, SB 42, with additional CYFD reforms is headed to her as well.
Which bills have been signed by the governor so far?
"New Mexicans have demanded reform at CYFD and we delivered," said Reena Szczepanski, (D-Santa Fe) Majority Floor Leader. "This is a huge step forward for children and families across our state that has been many years in the making."
Other accomplishments highlighted by Democratic lawmakers included the passage of a crime package, HB 8, that includes reforms to criminal competency and treatment as well as fentanyl trafficking. They also celebrated the passage of a bill increasing teacher salaries.
Although some Republican bills passed, such as SB 11 which requires districts to create rules for student cell phone use in schools. Republican lawmakers shared disappointment over the lack of medical malpractice bills succeeding and the governor's decision to veto a proposal, HB 65, to let districts decide the number of days in a school year.
"I had the full support of the House [on] both sides of the aisle and the people of New Mexico have spoken, the people of the House have spoken, and ultimately, the people of the Senate have spoken,” said Gail Armstrong, (R-Magdalena) Minority Floor Leader.
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The governor shared her frustrations on bills related to juvenile crime, after a House bill backed by the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office, HB 134, and a House bi-partisan bill, HB 255, failed.
"The notion that we spent far too little time addressing in any meaningful way juvenile crime and public safety issues in this state is a remarkable failure in so many ways," said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
She added lawmakers could be called to a potential special session on the issue of crime. "Yes, I think the likelihood is far stronger than not which is why in our statement, they should expect it. I don't know how you don't expect it," said Governor Lujan Grisham.
Other bills that passed on Saturday and are headed to the governor's desk include the Trade Ports Development Act, HB 19, which would create designated port districts across the state. For bills passed in the last three days, the governor has thirty days to either sign pocket veto or veto the bill. ...read more read less