RR lawmakers murky on whether a special session is necessary

RIO RANCHO — State lawmakers representing the Rio Rancho area can't agree on whether now is a good time to roll up their sleeves and head back to the Roundhouse to tackle issues ranging from federal budget cuts to amending a criminal competency bill.

Seven senators and representatives representing the Rio Rancho area either said a special session called Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was not necessary or did not provide comment, citing various reasons. One Democratic lawmaker did not seem to directly address the governor's likely call for a special session in late summer or early fall.

A final determination has not been made on the proposed special session, according to Michael Coleman, the governor’s communications director.

Rep. Alan Martinez, R-Rio Rancho, said he has always been opposed to special sessions.

"I think it's a complete waste of taxpayer money," Martinez said. "I don't know if there's ever been a good solution that's come out of any special (session). Every time something passes, it seems like we have to go back and fix it."

Rep. Kathleen Cates, a Democrat, did not directly state whether she believed a special session was needed. She provided a number of her priorities, which include changes to the criminal code and cracking down on firearm possession, but added that House leadership determines if it is appropriate for the bills she is working on to be filed for the special session, general session or the governor's 30-day session.

"It is my understanding that the special session is for emergencies. Leadership, either at the executive level (governor) or the leadership in the legislature, determines what is an emergency," Cates wrote in an email.

It was a little over a year ago when Lujan Grisham called on a special session to address wildfire relief, organized crime and fentanyl. The merits of the special session were criticized by senators from both parties, according to a July 2024 report from Source NM.

In the end, the session produced only one piece of legislation that was sent to the governor. House Bill 1, known as "the feed bill," paid for the special session and gave $100 million in relief to communities affected by the South Fork and Salt fires and $3 million to the Administrative Office of the Courts to fund assisted outpatient treatment programs and competency diversion pilot programs. Martinez voted against the legislation, while Reps. Cates and Joshua Hernandez, a Republican, voted for it.

If a special session is called this year, Lujan Grisham will ask lawmakers to address "federal budget cuts, increase penalties for felons in possession, update our outdated definitions of danger to self and others, make a small adjustment to the criminal competency bill that passed in the last session, and ban local governments from contracting with federal agencies to detain immigrants for civil violations," Coleman wrote in an email.

He added those priorities are not an all-encompassing list, but they reflect the governor’s concerns.

In a Facebook post, Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, wrote that Lujan Grisham's priorities "reflect a continuation of the Democrat Party being severely out-of-touch with the real issues facing New Mexicans." Block urged the Legislature to focus on reforming the Children, Youth and Families Department, improving educational outcomes, and increasing "accountability for violent juvenile criminals."

Rep. Cathleen Cullen, a Republican, wrote in an email that she does not think a special session is needed.

"Since my election, I have seen the inaction from the progressive-controlled Legislature when it comes to real solutions on crime, and none of those ideas are being discussed for a special session," Cullen wrote.

She added her view that "there is very little that can be done in a special session that could not otherwise get done in the 30-day session."

Martinez said regardless of his views on special sessions, he will work with his colleagues from across the aisle if one is called.

A spokesperson for Sen. Cindy Nava, D-Bernalillo, said she did not have a comment on a special session until it is called.

A spokesperson for Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, said he did not have an immediate comment, citing health issues.

Hernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.