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HB 23/a |
Compliance Order Non-Compliance Penalties more
Summary: This amendment, offered by Sen. Adair, weakened the bill by requiring court action – a costly and burdensome additional step – for assessment of civil penalties. While presumably intended to protect against abuses by the Environment Department, this amendment will, in fact, cost taxpayers considerably more, while providing no additional protection – since alleged polluters who wished to challenge the Department always had recourse in the courts.
Outcome: Amendment passed, the House concurred, and the amended bill was signed by the Governor.
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 |
Oppose |
E |
2006 |
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SB 242 |
Department of Transportation Expenditures Cap more
Summary: SB242 caps public transit spending by the Department of Transportation at $50,000 per year, unless the funds are eligible for federal reimbursement. New Mexico already spends less than almost any other state government on public transit, and yet we have one of the better-subsidized road systems. Such an extreme cap hinders the ability of NM to pursue sustainable public transit systems.
Outcome: Passed in the Senate, but defeated in the House.
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Oppose |
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2006 |
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SB 269 |
Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit more
Summary: SB 269 leverages other incentives like the federal solar tax credit and PNM’s new solar credit program to provide up to a 30% tax incentive for residential solar electricity and heat projects, to a maximum of $9,000 per project.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed by the Governor.
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Support |
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2006 |
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SB 317/a |
NM Renewable Energy Transmission Authority more
Summary: The original bill establishes the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, which would promote the development of renewable energy in New Mexico by facilitating its storage and transfer. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Payne, gutted the bill by preventing the Authority from taking any substantive action without specific legislative approval.
Outcome: Amendment passed, but the bill was defeated in the House.
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Oppose |
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2006 |
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SB 407 |
Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act more
Summary: SB 407 establishes a permanent, dedicated funding source for clean energy and land and wildlife conservation projects, which will allow us to leverage our bonding capacity and millions of dollars in matching funds for these types of projects. Senate Finance Committee stripped the funding from the bill, leaving only the enabling legislation.
Outcome: The weakened bill passed the Senate, but was defeated in the House.
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Support |
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2006 |
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SB 495 |
Tax Increment for Development Act more
Summary: SB495 and its companion HB462 authorize the establishment of tax-increment financing (TIF) districts to promote revitalization and redevelopment. This innovative mechanism allows local governments to bond for up-front cash to invest in redevelopment efforts, and then service the bonds using the increased property tax revenue that results from the project.
Outcome: SB 495 passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor. HB 462 died in the Senate;
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Support |
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2006 |
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SJM 36 |
Engineer Evaluation of Groundwater Transfers more
Summary: Given the conflict between continued growth and limited water supplies, the issue of water exports between basins has becoming increasingly contentious. SJM 36 resolves that transfers of water from closed groundwater basins must be consistent with regional water plans, and be supported by evidence of need and lack of in-basin alternatives.
Outcome: Passed the Senate, but was defeated in the House.
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Support |
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2006 |
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HB 78 |
Game Commission Habitat Management and Fees more
Summary: The Department of Game and Fish currently lacks the resources to actively fulfill its mandate to restore and maintain natural habitat for the benefit of wildlife and New Mexicans alike. House Bill 78 imposes a small fee on hunters and anglers that will be used by the Game Commission to restore, protect and maintain fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed by the Governor.
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 |
Support |
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2005 |
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HB 195 |
Create Strategic Water Reserve more
Summary: Our limited water supply is one of the greatest challenges facing the state. Intense competition for scarce water resources means that we are struggling to meet the requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act, as well as our obligations to deliver water to Texas. House Bill 195 creates the Strategic Water Reserve, which dedicates nearly $3 million this year to fund the acquisition of water rights for public benefit, specifically to help threatened and endangered species and to comply with New Mexico’s interstate stream compact obligations to Texas.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed by the Governor.
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Support |
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2005 |
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SB 221 |
Environmental Civil Penalties Limits more
Summary: A state’s environmental regulations are only as effective as the ability of the agencies to enforce them. Senate Bill 221 would have devastated the Environment Department’s capacity for enforcing New Mexico’s environmental standards by placing a $250,000 cap on fines for breaking environmental laws, no matter how egregious the offense. Furthermore, the agency would not be able to assess penalties on violators more than 2 years after the offense, thereby encouraging polluters to cover up violations in order to avoid the penalties.
Outcome: Passed Senate, but defeated in the House.
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Oppose |
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2005 |
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SB 337 |
Increase Game Park Maximum Acreage more
Summary: Private game parks are problematic for wildlife conservation and management because they trap free-roaming wildlife, impede migration, and spread disease. Senate Bill 337 would have increased the maximum acreage of private game parks from 3,200 to 20,000 acres, promoting the privatization of wildlife, negatively impacting migratory species, and encouraging the spread of Chronic Wasting and other diseases.
Outcome: Passed Senate, but defeated in the House.
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Oppose |
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2005 |
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SB 468 |
Acquire Land Near State Parks more
Summary: In the past, the need to get legislative approval for any additions or donations of land to state parks has prevented the Parks Division from acting swiftly and economically to expand New Mexico’s parks system. Senate Bill 468 allows the State Parks Division to acquire land adjacent to state parks without legislative approval, if the land will be incorporated into the park.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed by the Governor.
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Support |
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2005 |
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SB 644 |
Efficient Use of Energy Act more
Summary: The best way for New Mexico to control energy prices, increase energy security, reduce pollution and protect natural resources is to invest heavily in energy efficiency. Senate Bill 644 directs the Public Regulation Commission to require utilities to develop and implement energy efficiency programs. It also sets standards and policies for recouping expenditures by utilities and co-operatives for energy efficiency programs and investments.
Outcome: SB 644 passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor.
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Support |
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2005 |
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SB 1006/a |
Net Electric Co-op Metering System more
Summary: The original bill, Senate Bill 1006 (Sen. Cisneros), promoted small-scale renewable energy projects by requiring public utilities and rural electric cooperatives to purchase excess energy generated by certain small-scale renewable energy projects. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Payne on the Senate Floor, gutted the bill by changing the compensation formula for net-metered renewable energy, effectively eliminating any incentive to produce small-scale renewables.
Outcome: Amendment passed, and the bill had to be vetoed by the Governor.
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Oppose |
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2005 |
Effective
Environmental