Luján, Morelle, Gluesenkamp Perez Continue Fight For Consumers’ Right To Repair
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), introduced the Fair Repair Act, legislation to guarantee consumers and small businesses a right to repair their own products by requiring manufacturers to make diagnostic repair information, parts, and tools readily available.
“For far too long, the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations have made it more difficult for Americans to repair the products they own,” Luján said. “The costs of these barriers can Read More
Legislative Roundup: 13 Days Left In Session
Demonstrators cheer and hold up signs during a public lands rally on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, outside of the state Capitol. Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Dawn the duck: The New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment Friday of Dawn Walters to lead the state’s newly established Office of the Child Advocate.
The office will be responsible for providing third-party oversight of New Mexico’s troubled child welfare system.
“This role has been long awaited and is critical to the safety and success of New Mexico’s children and families,” Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, Read More
NMDOT Awards Nearly $47 Million For 27 Local Transportation Projects
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) awarded nearly $47 million to 27 projects through four federal funding programs, benefiting 15 agencies statewide, during the federal fiscal year 2026 call for projects.
Awarded projects range from supporting transit operation and infrastructure upgrades, to design and construction of urban and rural multiuse paths and trails, to supporting Safe Routes to School programs. A full list of projects is listed below.
“These programs are critical for Tribal and local public agencies, funding projects from planning Read More
Heinrich, Daines: Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Designating Week Of Feb. 2 As ‘National Tribal Colleges And Universities Week’
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced that the U.S. Senate passed their bipartisan resolution they led to designate the week of Feb. 2, 2026, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” This resolution seeks to uplift and celebrate the achievements of students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities in Tribal Colleges and Universities.
“Our resolution affirms the important role that Tribal Colleges and Universities play in preparing Native and non-Native students for careers they can build Read More
RCAA To Host Four Community Listening Sessions On Lower Rio Chama Watershed Project
RCAA News:
The Lower Rio Chama Watershed Project, led by the Rio de Chama Acequia Association (RCAA), is an acequia- and community-led effort to improve watershed health and resilience in the lower Rio Chama region, from below Abiquiú Dam to El Guache.
Guided by community priorities, this effort aims to bring together acequias and neighbors from across the region to co-develop a shared plan and vision for a healthy watershed – from the uplands through the arroyos and down to the acequias along the Rio Chama. A key focus is on slowing and spreading destructive flood waters from arroyos to mitigate Read More
‘We’re Willing To Do What It Takes’: New Mexico Health Councils Push For State Funding
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In Santo Domingo Pueblo, Anthony Yepa serves as a health care explainer.
As an adviser for the pueblo’s Hopa Health Council — named for a Keres word meaning “the people” — Yepa helps members of his community understand complex state and federal health care policy.
People ask: What’s in New Mexico’s more than $11 billion budget? What’s a managed care organization? How might federal health care cuts affect Santo Domingo Pueblo residents?
Yepa answers.
“That’s what health councils do — from the Roundhouse Read More
Microgrid Oversight Act Receives Message From Governor
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate received a message from Gov. Lujan Grisham to permit legislative consideration of an updated version of Sen. Jeff Steinborn’s (D-Las Cruces) legislation, the Microgrid Oversight Act.
The new bill, Senate Bill 235 would:
- Require the Public Regulation Commission to begin rule making by July 1, 2027, to establish a “renewable energy portfolio” standard of required renewable energy usage for microgrids, to be increased over time and be carbon emission free by 2045.
- Prohibit utilities from increasing customers’ electricity
Faith-Based Climate Advocates Arrive At State Capitol After 300-Mile Trek
Desirée Bernard participates in Climate Solutions Day at the state Capitol Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Bernard, the executive director of the New Mexico and El Paso branch of Interfaith Power & Light, set out with others on a more than 300-mile faith-based, climate-focused trek toward the Roundhouse. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By ALAINA MENCINGER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
GALISTEO — As Desirée Bernard walked between Roswell and Corona in January, local farmers and ranchers warned her of a big storm coming. Some offered a lift.
Bernard wasn’t looking for a ride. Instead, she asked Read More
Lawmakers Promise More Big Wins For New Mexico As Governor Signs Year’s First Bills
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs one of the first bills to reach her desk this legislative session in the governor’s Cabinet room on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Bills signed Thursday included a $1.5 billion bonding package to improve New Mexico roads, interstate compacts for doctors and social workers and a prohibition on local governments operating immigration detention centers. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By Margaret O’Hara and Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
As Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the first laws of the year to reach her desk, legislators Read More
Attempt To Overhaul New Mexico’s Education Administration System Rapidly Fails
Bill Sponsor Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces
By ANDRÉ SALKIN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A yearslong effort to return public education oversight in New Mexico to an appointed state school board and superintendent, rather than a Cabinet secretary, saw a quick end this week.
The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday rejected Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Bill Soules of Las Cruces, by a vote of 6-2.
Soules billed the proposal as a way to bring stability to New Mexico’s education system “regardless of which party is in power,” following a high turnover of education secretaries Read More
Legislative Roundup: 14 Days Left In Session
Brothers Sebastián, 6, and Santiago Casuas Natale, 8, play under the large table where Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and leaders from both parties were present to sign the first bills of the legislative session into law on Feb. 5, 2026. Sebastián Casuas Natale was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer and required care from out-of-state doctors, something he couldn’t get in New Mexico without the medical compact bill, SB 1, signed into law Thursday. Gabriela Campos/The New MexicanHere comes the judge: A bill that would add a judge to the First Judicial District Court,
New Mexico House Republicans Urge Governor To Veto HB 9
From New Mexico House Republicans:
SANTA FE — New Mexico House Republicans are urging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to veto House Bill 9, the so-called “Immigrant Safety Act”, following its passage on the Senate floor.
The legislation represents a dangerous step away from public safety, the rule of law, and constitutional cooperation between state and federal government.
HB 9 prohibits public bodies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to house individuals detained for federal immigration violations and effectively ends New Mexico’s participation in the federal 287(g) Read More
Council Makes Strides To Improve Recreational Amenities
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
Efforts to improve amenities for recreational enthusiasts in Los Alamos, from the athlete all the way to the pedestrian, are progressing.
During the Los Alamos County Council regular meeting, Jan. 27, council unanimously approved the North Mesa Recreation Master Plan as well as the installation of the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Signal on N.M. 4.
In the discussion of the North Mesa Recreation Master Plan, County Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker highlighted the fact that while the plan was Read More
At Nuclear Deterrence Summit, Lab Directors Frame Regulatory Reform As Key To Modernization
Lab directors Thom Mason of Los Alamos and Kimberly Budil of Lawrence Livermore discuss efforts to modernize aging nuclear infrastructure and accelerate weapons development during a panel at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit in Arlington, Va. Photo by Marlene Wilden/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net
ARLINGTON, VA.—Appearing together at the annual Nuclear Deterrence Summit, held Jan. 26-28, the directors of Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories said they are seizing an unusual Read More
Bill To Strengthen Burglary Prosecutions Clears Senate
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A bill that updates New Mexico’s burglary laws to give prosecutors clearer tools for holding criminals accountable passed the Senate today with bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 100, sponsored by Senators Cindy Nava, Linda M. Trujillo and Rep. Andrea Romero, closes a loophole in New Mexico’s burglary law.
A July 2018 incident illustrates the urgency of the fix and the flaw in the existing law. On the evening of July 30, 2018, a man climbed over a fence into the backyard of Robert Romero’s residence in Santa Fe and made his way onto the home’s portal—a covered porch in Read More
‘We’re Running Out Of Time’: Urgency Builds For Long-Awaited Navajo Code Talkers Museum
By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Advocates of Navajo Code Talkers — U.S. Marines in World War II who relayed critical messages in secret, unbreakable codes based on their Indigenous language — have been waiting seven years for a museum honoring the veterans.
Code Talkers themselves — only two still living — have been waiting far longer.
“They wanted to see this museum since 1971,” said Vern Lee, who serves on the board of the nonprofit Navajo Code Talkers Museum Inc. “That’s over 54 years ago.”
“And we’ve got nothing to show for it,” museum board Secretary and Treasurer Albert Damon chimed Read More
Bill Protecting State’s Clean Energy Progress Advances Out Of Senate Conservation Committee
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Amidst one of the driest and warmest winters on record, members of the Senate Conservation Committee passed the Clear Horizons Act, legislation that gives New Mexico a responsible plan to continue reducing climate-warming pollution while protecting family budgets, growing local jobs, and preserving the state’s unique way of life.
Sponsored by Senators Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) and Angel Charley (D-Acoma), and co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Kristina Ortez (D-Taos) and Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Senate Bill 18, codifies New Mexico’s existing Read More
New Mexico Could Be First State To Formally Address Forced Sterilization Of Native Women
By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Somewhere between 25% and 50% of Indigenous women were forcibly sterilized in the 1970s with some of the highest concentrations of procedures in New Mexico, research indicates.
Shocking as the statistics are, getting more specific data than that is tricky.
“The information gap is tremendous,” Keely Badger, a human rights advocate who has researched the issue, said Tuesday at the Roundhouse. “But there is now a global movement to bring the heinous nature of these acts, globally, to the forefront.”
New Mexico lawmakers are Read More
Gun Control Measure SB 17 Advances Through Judiciary Committee Despite Strong GOP Opposition
NMSR News:
SANTA FE — In a flagrant disregard for the Second Amendment and the rule of law, the Senate Judiciary Committee today forced passage of Senate Bill 17 (“Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act”). This extreme measure now heads to the Senate Floor, setting the stage for a costly and inevitable legal battle that taxpayers will ultimately fund.
Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), the committee’s Ranking Member, led the opposition, dismantling the bill’s premise that targeting the rights of law-abiding citizens and small business owners will somehow deter violent crime.
“SB Read More
New Mexico House Passes $11 Billion Budget, Rejects Paying Counties With ICE Jails
Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces
Chair
House Appropriations and Finance Committee
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
At the halfway point of this year’s 30-day session, the House approved a proposed spending plan setting aside a little more than $11 billion in recurring spending with boosts in spending for a number of early childhood, health care and public safety initiatives.
House Bill 2, which currently proposes a 2.7% increase in recurring spending for the coming fiscal year, reflects an effort by legislators to make “responsible investments,” Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Read More