Roundhouse Rundown: Interstate medical compact, Immigrant Safety Act, greenhouse gas reduction
New Mexico lawmakers are focusing on health and retaining doctors, with a bill to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact now heading to the governor.
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico lawmakers are focusing on health and retaining doctors, with a bill to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact now heading to the governor.
The proposal, which streamlines licensing for doctors across participating states, unanimously passed the House floor. If signed, New Mexico would become the 38th state in the compact.
The Immigrant Safety Act, which aims to ban ICE detention operations in New Mexico, is also expected to advance. The state Senate is currently debating the Democrat-backed proposal.
State lawmakers are also addressing climate change. A proposal to enshrine greenhouse gas reduction goals into law narrowly survived its first committee hearing.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order in 2019 to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030. The new bill proposes a 75% reduction by 2040 and 100% by 2050.
“Extreme weather and climate-driven disasters are already making everyday life more expensive for New Mexicans,” said state Sen. Mimi Stewart.
James Kenney, secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department, said, “If we took no action on climate between now and 2050, it would cost the state of New Mexico an estimated $294 billion.”
The Senate Conservation Committee heard extensive public comment and debated the bill for hours. The Environmental Improvement Board would create rules to achieve these goals, focusing on New Mexico’s industrial sector.
This is the governor’s last chance to get her climate goals into state law. With 15 days left, lawmakers face challenges ahead.
On juvenile crime, a proposal addressing juvenile gun crimes and background checks cleared its first committee. However, it is the only juvenile-specific bill progressing so far.