Commentary: Capping a brisk and diligent first few weeks of the legislative session, and signaling the launch of a new era of productive, collaborative work processes at the Capitol, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and legislative representatives on Monday celebrated the passage of the ‘rocket docket,’ a package of common-sense, bipartisan legislation that was summarily blocked under the prior administration.
The governor signed 42 bills Monday brought to her expeditiously by the Legislature. In a public event at the Cabinet Room, she signed one bill from each chamber, Senate Bill 9 and House Bill 44.
“Both parties, both chambers working together -- today is a demonstration of how state government can get things done collectively for New Mexicans,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “I didn’t coin ‘rocket docket,’ but I like it. The work achieved here these first few weeks took serious commitment, and I’m grateful to legislators, and I’m excited for more.”
“Never before have so many bills gotten to a governor’s desk so quickly,” House Speaker Brian Egolf said. “This shows New Mexicans that when there is leadership, and when there is a commitment to change, we can get things done for New Mexicans. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Gridlock in Santa Fe is finally over,” Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said. “New Mexicans appreciate that we have a governor who wants to govern.”
Surrounded by members of both chambers and both parties, many of whom sponsored pieces of the docket, as well as some advocates, Lujan Grisham spoke about the importance of renewed communication between the executive and legislative branches and expressed optimism about the potential for further progress in shared priorities both in this Legislature and beyond.
The bills signed Monday are as follows, in the order they were forwarded to the fourth floor:
SB 193: Beef Council Assessment Opt-Out
SB 198: Admin Office of the Courts Director Funds
SB 199: Electronic Communications Privacy Act
SB 215: Maternal Mortality & Morbidity Prevention Act
SB 77: Landowner Liability for Cave Exploration
SB 145: Coordinate Medical Transport
SB 150: Homeowner Associations Changes
SB 164: Prizes & Gifts for Insurance Customers
SB 179: Disabilities Students Lottery Scholarships
SB 9: Psychologist Prescription Certificates
SB 28: Placement of Children in Protective Custody
SB 48: Student Diabetes Management Act
SB 58: Evidence and Research Based Funding Requests
SB 149: Rename Alcohol & Gaming Division
SB 191: Lobbyist Reporting Requirements
SB 197: Judge Pro Tempore Fund
SB 118: Protect Confidentiality of Crime Victims
SB 18: Local Government Planning Fund
SB 106: Short-Term Occupancy Rentals Tax
SB 117: Wastewater System Financing – Martinez
SB 157: Sick Leave for Educational Retirement Credit
SB 189: Mobility Limitation Transport Placards
SB 200: Massage Therapy Act
SB 236: Disabled Veteran License Plate Options
SB 244: Legal Services for Land Grants & Acequias
HB 44: Career-Technical Teacher Development
HB 50: Audit Reviews by Board of Finance
HB 66: Mammogram Info Disclosure
HB 72: Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice
HB 74: Traditional Historic Community Qualifications
HB 97: Local Government Investment Pool Participants
HB 203: Economic Development Finance & Ag Enterprises
HB 216: File County Subdivision Ordinances with State
HB 217: Infrastructure Development Zone Meetings
HB 229: Regional Air Center Special Economic District
HB 242: Contact Lens & Glasses Prescriptions
HB 250: Native American Student Needs Assessments
HB 257: Enviro Services Gross Receipts Uses
HB 226: Add Lay Midwives as Practitioners
HB 227: Use of Teacher Attendance for Evaluations
HB 237: Extend University Police Officer Authority
HB 276: Establish Advanced Mapping Fund