Legislative Report Card
Below is a report card for the New Mexico 47th Legislative Session summarizing the outcome of Chamber-supported bills.
ENTREPRENEURIAL &
SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Small Business Regulatory Relief Act
• Job Training Incentive Program (In-Plant Training)
• New Mexico Economic Development Partnership
Funding
• Permanent extension of Rural Jobs Tax Credit
• Federal Contract R & D Tax Deduction (as amended)
• Business Incubator Development Program
• Advanced Energy Products Manufacturer's Tax Credit
• Rural Enterprise Initiative DID NOT PASS
• R & D Start-Up Tax Credit
TALENT FORCE/EDUCATION:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• A reformed state workforce development system that stream-
lines/coordinates programs/administration under new Office of
Workforce Training and Development with authority to establish performance measures and coordinate training dollars
• Voluntary New Mexico Pre-K plan for four-year-olds
• Formation of a Higher Education Dept. with authority to coordinate resources among colleges and universities statewide
• Creation of a Secretary of Higher Education
• Retain governance at the district level that gives superintendents authority over personnel issues as outlined in 2003 HB212 SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED BILLS TO CHANGE THIS
HEALTHCARE:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Amend Health Insurance Alliance statute to allow more
affordable premiums
• Allow small businesses/nonprofits to buy into the State's health
insurance plan
• Implementation of the State Coverage Initiative
• Graduated Tax Credit for small businesses providing insurance DID NOT PASS
• Allowing young adults through age 24 to remain on their
parents' individual health plan
• Requiring insurers to offer insurance to part-time employees
(20 hours a week or more) if requested by employer
Chamber-Opposed Bills
• A single payer system of health insurance SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED SINGLE PAYER BILLS
WATER:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Adequate funds to complete the Pecos Settlement
WITH PARTIAL FUNDING
• Increases in State Engineer's budget
• Produced water tax credit DID NOT PASS
• Clarification/expansion of Regional Water Authority
language
DWI/PUBLIC SAFETY:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock use by all DWI offenders
• Establishment of 1-800 Number to report drunk driving DID NOT PASS
• Lowering BAC level to .06 for repeat DWI offenders DID NOT PASS
• Increased penalties for repeat DWI violations/DWI related vehicular homicide DID NOT PASS
• Additional funding for Metro Court/DA/PD
• Legislation to reduce domestic violence in New Mexico
• Governor's Anti-Gang Initiative DID NOT PASS
• Expansion of Drug Court programs throughout the state DID NOT PASS
TAXES:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Small Business Pyramiding Tax Deduction
• Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
• Income tax exemption for low and middle-income
households
• Tax break for single parents filing as head-of-household
• Partial exemption of military retiree pension from personal
income tax for those veterans seeking second careers
• "Angel" investor tax credit DID NOT PASS
Chamber-Opposed Bills
• Any additional compensating tax PASSED DESPITE OPPOSITION
TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Termination/distribution of Rural Extension Fund
• Competitive Pricing Flexibility bill SPONSOR TABLED BILL
AVIATION:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Creation of a New Mexico Spaceport Authority
• Legislation to attract aviation service & repair industry
ENERGY:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Transmission Siting legislation
• Voluntary Emissions Reduction legislation DID NOT PASS
MILITARY:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• Life insurance for active duty New Mexico National Guard
WORKER'S COMPENSATION:
Chamber-Opposed Bills
• Major changes to the Workers' Compensation Act NOTHING PASSED THAT WE OPPOSED
Additional Bills On Which We Took a Position During the Session:
Chamber-Supported Bills
• HB84 School Code Updates
• HB176 Public Education Commission Authority Over Vocational Education
• SB69 Honors Class Requirement
• HB9 Unemployment Compensation Rates and Benefits
• HB805 Impact Fee RestrictionsDID NOT PASS
• SB669 College Affordability Act
• HB614 Stop Living Wage Movement DID NOT PASS
• HB684 Gambling Addiction Research
• HJR8 Governor Appoints Two PRC Members DID NOT PASS
•HB1053 Business Development Corporation Repealed/Unused
Fundsto be Used for Economic Development
• HB234 Nontaxable Transaction Certificates Extended
Chamber-Opposed Bills
• SB782 State Coverage Initiative Act SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED
• HB959/SB491 Community Access to Media SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED
• SB283 Tax on Soft Drinks SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED
• SB469 Income Tax Cuts Eliminated SUCCESSSFULLY DEFEATED