FGGAM NEWS received this update from the New Mexico House Republican Caucus on Wednesday’s action:
Bipartisan Driver’s License Compromise Passes House Floor
Bill will stop giving NM driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants
Santa Fe, NM – Wednesday, a bipartisan compromise bill that will stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and bring New Mexico into compliance with the REAL ID Act passed the House Floor by a 39-30 vote. House Bill 99 is sponsored by Reps. Paul Pacheco and Andy Nunez.
“I’m looking forward to continuing this fight in the Senate,” Pacheco said. “The bottom line is we need to stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and bring New Mexico into compliance with federal law. It’s dangerous. After years, it’s time to finally get this law passed.”
Republicans have been fighting to repeal the dangerous law that allows illegal immigrants to receive driver’s licenses in New Mexico for years. Unfortunately, the legislation was stalled and killed by Democrats even after New Mexicans made it clear they want the law off the books.
The bill proposes a compromise with Senate Democrats by giving those here illegally a driving privilege card while ensuring New Mexicans are able to receive a secure, REAL ID compliant license. It is a true two-tier compromise.
“We must stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants,” Nunez said. “The law needs to be passed this session. Action from the Senate Democrats on this issue is way past due.”
Under the proposal, two distinct forms of identification would be created: a secure license that is REAL ID compliant for citizens and residents with lawful immigration status, and a driving privilege card for illegal immigrants. The two cards would have different colors and designs to distinguish the driver’s license from the driving privilege card. The license would be valid for federal identification purposes and the driving privilege card would not.
Driving privilege cards would only be issued to individuals who cannot prove lawful immigration status, and it would only be valid for one year. To qualify for a driving privilege card, illegal immigrants would have to prove that they have resided in New Mexico for at least two years before applying or provide evidence that they have filed personal income taxes with the State of New Mexico for the prior year. Applicants would be required to successfully complete a driver’s education course, pass a written and road test and submit fingerprints.
The compromise proposed by Pacheco and Nunez is similar to approaches used in states such as California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah.
Democrat Representative Compares Driver’s License Bill To Slavery
Santa Fe, NM – Today, Democrat Representative Javier Martinez made an outrageous statement when he compared the driver’s license compromise bill to slavery in a Facebook post saying, “For hundreds of years our legal system legitimized and sanctioned slavery and discrimination throughout the country. Today, House Republicans and Governor Martinez seek to legitimize discrimination against undocumented immigrants through their proposed.”
“As a Hispanic, this kind of careless and extreme rhetoric coming from a member of the legislature is unacceptable,” said Representative Monica Youngblood. “To compare this compromise bill to the horrors of slavery shows how uninformed Representative Martinez is on the issue.”
The bill is a compromise that protects the driving privileges of all residents of New Mexico, regardless of their legal status.
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Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Local Governments to Implement Curfews Passes House Judiciary Committee
Santa Fe, NM – A bipartisan bill that would authorize local governments to impose curfews on minors under the age of 16 from midnight to 5 a.m. passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 9-4 vote. The bill, HB 29, is sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry and Democrat Rep. Carl Trujillo. The bill is supported by Albuquerque Westside City Councilor Ken Sanchez.
“Nothing good happens after midnight when you are an unsupervised teenager,” Gentry said. “This legislation will help keep kids out of potentially dangerous situations as well as protect our communities from violence.”
The legislation is a response to recent violent incidents involving minors. Last June, Steven Gerecke was gunned down in his driveway by six minors at 3 a.m. One month later, a 14-year-old student, Isaiah Albright, was shot and killed around 2 a.m. at Pat Hurley Park on Albuquerque’s Westside by another minor.
Currently, law enforcement has little authority to detain children who are out during school hours or at night without reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed. This bill would allow officers to detain minors, and it would provide guidelines on how law enforcement should handle children who are caught violating a curfew. This legislation would prohibit children from being placed in secure settings for violating a curfew.
The bill will also provide a variety of exemptions for children who have reason to be out during the regulated times, such as participating in a school function, attending an event with their parent or guardian, or attending a civic or religious function. This legislation excludes emancipated youth from its provisions.
House Speaker Applauds Efforts to Modernize Chamber and Improve Transparency
Public now has access to floor amendments in real-time
Santa Fe, NM – House Speaker Don Tripp praised recent upgrades to the information technology systems and processes used by the House of Representatives. Tonight was the first time these enhancements to improve the public’s ability stay informed about amendments being considered while the House is in session have been used.
“I commend the efforts of House Chief Clerk Denise Ramonas to modernize our systems to 21st Century standards,” said Speaker Tripp. “The changes she has spearheaded provide more transparency to the public and allow people to follow the details of what is being discussed on the floor as they happen.”
Previously, amendments offered on the House Floor were not available to the public until hours after they were proposed, and amendments that were not adopted were never posted for public review. Thanks to the improvements made to the House’s systems and amendment filing process, the public and the media now have real-time access to the text of amendments as they are being debated.
The amendments are posted on the new website for the New Mexico State Legislature. The new site is available at www.nmlegis.gov:8080 .
Bill to Allow Adjunct Teachers in NM Classrooms Passes House Committee
Santa Fe, NM – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Conrad James to allow adjunct instructors to teach in New Mexico’s classrooms passed the House Education Committee today by a vote of 7 to 5. The bill, HB 145, would allow professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree to teach part-time without having to go back to school and receive their teaching degree.
“This bill would help bring subject matter experts into the classroom,” James said. “Adjunct instructors possess a wealth of knowledge and professional experience, especially in the areas of science, technology and math. Our children would benefit enormously from their expertise.”
The proposal would make it easier for knowledgeable industry professionals to teach and invest in New Mexico students. It would also help with recruitment of qualified instructors for seventh through twelfth grades. The bill also allows for school districts to choose whether or not they allow for adjunct teachers.
In order to qualify as an adjunct instructor, professionals would need a bachelor’s degree, three years of work experience in their field, a passing score on the appropriate teacher license assessment, and successful completion of a pedagogy course. It also gives the NM Public Education Department the flexibility to establish additional requirements. The terms of the adjunct instructor contract and any renewal of that contract could not exceed one year and could be terminated at any time without cause.
Last session, James sponsored a similar bill that passed the House, but it died in the Senate.
