The session was called to deal with the state’s deficit and to adjust the state budget amid historical deficits the result of the COVID-19 pandemic business closures and the collapse in oil revenues. Sponsored by Representative Tomas Salazar (D-Las Vegas), Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Senator Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Bill Tallman (D-Albuquerque), House Bill 44 addresses the statewide gap in retirement saving by encouraging employers to offer their employees access to a retirement savings plan. Under provisions of the legislation, independent voters will be able to vote in primaries only if they formally change their registration to Democrat, Republican or Libertarian, which is already allowed. House Bill 44, the New Mexico Work and Save Act, creating a voluntary, state-sponsored savings program for small business, self-employed, and nonprofit employees in the private sector, was signed into law by the Governor. The table below shows the partisan history of the New Mexico State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2016. Details Category: NM Legislative Session 2020 Published: 11 March 2020 Print Provides low-cost spay/neuter services, helps struggling families keep their furry friends healthy. The money will instead be part of the state’s general fund reserves. borderColor: "#9C9C9C", sortBy: "0", … This looks like it’s going to be a prolonged downturn.”, www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/new-mexico-legislature-sends-7b-solvency-bill-to-governor/article_6d57350a-afe2-11ea-9a70-474b3af34deb.html. SENATE BILL 4: This bill enacting temporary changes for the 2020 general election. Santa Fe, NM– New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham has one week left to take final action on legislation from the 2020 Legislature. The bills accomplish this through: increasing funding for the state’s at-risk student population, developing a framework for a formal mentorship program for beginning educators, giving grants to public and tribal post-secondary institutions to establish teacher residency programs, and creating a scholarship fund to assist teachers in attaining national board certification. In February, lawmakers approved the largest budget in New Mexico’s history, at $7.6 billion, but only weeks later an oil price war and the COVID-19 pandemic put that plan in peril. She issued the following statement expanding on her rationale, which is primarily the enhancement of the state’s reserve capacity: “Revenue projections and the state’s ability to weather potential downturns are always primary concerns of mine. The fee does not apply to livestock feed or any other animal feed, prescription diets, nor does it directly affect retailers, or consumers. SENATE BILL 3: This legislation establishes a low-interest loan program for small businesses and local governments. height: 300, At the start of the 2020, New Mexico was one of 28 state legislatures where neither party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. [1] Democrats won the 28 seats required for a two-thirds supermajority just once and Republicans never won enough seats to take control of the chamber. The governor’s formal veto statement can be accessed here. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Sponsored by Senator Jacob Candelaria (D-Albuquerque) and Representative Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces), Senate Bill 57 covers costs of spay and neuter services for lower-income families looking to take care of their pets, as well as delivers funds to struggling animal shelters around the state. From 1989 to 2020, Democrats held consistent control of the chamber. vetoes Senate Bill 232, boosting state reserves by $50 million, NM budget concerns skyrocket amidst steep oil price drop, NM House GOP Leader calls on Governor to veto bill that limits transparency and open records, Representative Dow delivers crucial veterans services in 2020, Bills Expanding Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Modernization Signed Into Law, Retirement Savings Account Signed into Law. Sen. John Arthur Smith, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, warned the state’s finances are not likely to bounce back quickly from the double punch caused by the coronavirus pandemic and plummeting oil prices telling . The session was called to deal with the state’s deficit and to adjust the state budget amid historical deficits the result of the COVID-19 pandemic business closures and the collapse in oil revenues.