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HB 276 |
SunCal Tax Increment Project Bonds more
Summary: HB 276 authorizes a massive ($629 million) bond issue to provide infrastructure to a sprawl development on Albuquerque’s west mesa. The bond would be serviced by diverting gross receipts tax revenues that would otherwise accrue to the state to spend on healthcare or education. These types of ‘greenfield’ Tax Increment for Development Districts (TIDDs) are bad public policy – not only for land use and water planning, but also from a fiscal perspective. House members’ votes are scored on the bill itself; Senators’ votes are scored on a procedural motion that allowed HB 276 to be withdrawn from its final committee and moved immediately to the Senate floor.
Outcome: Defeated in the Senate.
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Oppose |
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2008 |
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HB 305 |
Utility Customer Load Management more
Summary: Efficiency is the most reliable, least expensive source of “new” energy. HB 305 amends the existing Efficient Use of Energy Act to establish mandatory energy efficiency targets of 5% by 2014 and 10% by 2020. Increased energy efficiency is a critical tool in the fight against global climate change.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed into law.
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Support |
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2008 |
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SB 487 |
Abandoned Uranium Mine Reclamation Fees more
Summary: SB 487 creates the "abandoned uranium mine reclamation fund" through a fee on new uranium mining. The bill inappropriately ties cleanup of old mining sites to production from new uranium mines and mills, which many residents of impacted communities oppose. The fees would generate woefully insufficient revenues to address the problem, which could run into the billions of dollars. SB 487 is opposed by a broad array of environmental justice, Native American and conservation organizations.
Outcome: Passed both chambers, but VETOED by the Governor.
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Oppose |
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2008 |
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SJM 17 |
State Engineer Review of Water Exports more
Summary: SJM 17 recognizes the threat posed to the Estancia basin by proposed groundwater exports to other basins, and encourages the State Engineer to ensure that applications to export water from the Estancia basin are supported by proof of need and lack of alternatives.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed.
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Support |
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2008 |
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SJM 21 |
Enact Federal Public Lands & Education Act more
Summary: SJM 21 and HJM 29 support the enactment of the Federal Public Lands & Education Act in Congress. The Act is an anti-public lands bill urging the disposition of federally-owned land in the West. Although the stated intent is to help generate revenues for education, the sponsors and proponents of the federal legislation are strident opponents of public lands, not advocates on behalf of education.
Outcome: SJM 21 was DEFEATED in the Senate, and HJM 29 was DEFEATED on the House floor.
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Oppose |
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2008 |
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SJM 40 |
Study Off-Road Motorized Vehicle Use more
Summary: SJM 40 requests the appropriate state agencies to study and make recommendations for improved regulation of off-road vehicles in order to resolve user conflicts, prevent environmental damage and provide greater safety protections for users.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed.
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Support |
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2008 |
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SJR 7 |
Legislative Review of Regulatory Rules, CA more
Summary: SJR 7 and HJR 12 are additional attempts to gut New Mexico’s regulatory processes, by pursuing a constitutional amendment (CA) that would allow the Legislature to override regulatory rules. Our administrative agencies are required to protect public peace, health, safety and welfare – by regulating everything from nursing homes and daycare facilities to inspections of meat, restaurants and polluting industries. Efforts to curtail regulatory activities threaten the quality of life of all New Mexicans.
Outcome: Defeated in the Senate.
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Oppose |
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2008 |
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SM 46 |
Defeat Federal Clean Water Restoration Act more
Summary: Recent court rulings have gutted clean water legislation adopted by Congress in the 1970s, stripping protections for numerous wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, and other waters historically covered – which includes up to 90% of New Mexico’s waters. SM 46 seeks to keep these waters unprotected from polluters – by opposing the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007, which restores the protections intended by Congress in 1972.
Outcome: Defeated in the Senate.
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Oppose |
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2008 |
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SM 49 |
Study Need for Agricultural Districts more
Summary: SM 49 requests a legislative interim committee to study the need to protect agricultural lands in New Mexico through the use of conservation easements, agricultural districts, limitations on the exercise of eminent domain powers, and other tools.
Outcome: Passed the Senate and signed.
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Support |
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2008 |
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HB 318 |
Power Plant Mercury Emission Controls more
Summary: HB318 authorizes the Environmental Improvement Board to require use of the best available technologies to control mercury emissions from power plants.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed into law.
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Support |
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2007 |
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HB 827 |
Surface Owners Protection Act more
Summary: HB827 provides property owners with some basic rights when oil and gas companies own the mineral rights below the surface of their land and helps protect landowners from irresponsible oil and gas operators.
Outcome: Passed both chambers signed into law.
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Support |
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2007 |
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SB 220 |
Eliminate Coal Surtax more
Summary: SB220 would eliminate the surtax on coal, which would provide a de facto $6.9 million subsidy to a thriving resource extraction industry. CVNM opposes this legislation.
Outcome: Passed both chambers, but pocket-vetoed by the Governor.
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Oppose |
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2007 |
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SB 418 |
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards more
Summary: SB418 increases the existing renewable energy standard so that utilities must include 15% renewables in their portfolio by 2015, and 20% by 2020.
Outcome: SB418 passed the Senate (32-0), passed the House (43-18), and was signed into law .
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Support |
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2007 |
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SB 489 |
Require Biodiesel in Motor Vehicle Fuel more
Summary: SB489 promote alternative vehicle fuels by requiring at least a 5% biodiesel component in diesel fuel by 2012.
Outcome: Passed both chambers and signed into law.
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Support |
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2007 |
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SB 693 |
State Engineer Permits for Subdivisions more
Summary: SB693 would have strengthened state engineer evaluation of water availability for new subdivisions by reducing the assessment threshold from subdivisions of 20 parcels or more to subdivisions of 5 parcels or more, while also making the state engineer recommendations binding on county commissions.
Outcome: SB693 passed the Senate (33-1), but failed on the House floor (21-35).
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Support |
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2007 |
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SB 800 |
Campaign Reporting Requirements more
Summary: SB800 limits campaign contributions and requires reporting for independent expenditures.
Outcome: Defeated in the Senate on a vote to concur with House amendments. House members' votes are scored on the bill itself; Senators' votes are scored on the motion to concur with the House amendments.
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Support |
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2007 |
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SB 845 |
Above Ground Storage Tank Definition more
Summary: SB845 would exempt tanks used by crop-dusting and crop-spraying services from regulations under the Hazardous Waste Act that apply to above ground storage tanks.
Outcome: Passed both chambers, but pocket-vetoed by the Governor.
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Oppose |
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2007 |
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SB 1169 |
Declaration of Water from Deep Aquifers more
Summary: SB1169 would have improved water resource management by granting the State Engineer jurisdiction over water more than 2500 feet below the surface. Given improvements in drilling technology, accessing deep water has become more feasible, and the public should have some authority to manage its use.
Outcome: SB1169 failed on the Senate Floor (11-31).
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Support |
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2007 |
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SJM 10 |
Nuclear Energy & Uranium Resources more
Summary: SJM10 attempted to support and facilitate the uranium mining and nuclear energy industries – both of which severely jeopardize human and environmental health.
Outcome: Defeated in the Senate.
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Oppose |
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2007 |
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SJM 54 |
Study Need for Agricultural Districts more
Summary: SJM54 requested the appointment of a legislative interim committee to study the need to protect agricultural resources in New Mexico by creating agricultural districts, using conservation easements, limiting eminent domain or implementing other measures.
Outcome: SJM54 failed on the Senate Floor (19-19).
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Support |
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2007 |
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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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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 |
E |
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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2005 |
