RR lawmakers prepare for short Roundhouse session

SANTA FE — Rio Rancho area lawmakers are ringing in the new year by drafting bills for the upcoming legislative session, which largely focuses on the budget and the governor's priorities.

Rep. Kathleen Cates, a Democrat, Sen. Jay Block, a Republican, and Rep. Catherine Cullen, a Republican — all from Rio Rancho — shared their outlook for the session, which begins Jan. 20 and lasts just 30 days. The session will be limited to budgets and revenue bills, as well as legislation drawn from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and bills from the last regular session vetoed by the governor.

"We have a very brief period ... to pass any and all laws or funding requirements to address issues and support for New Mexico," Cates wrote in an email.

Legislation sponsored or co-sponsored in 2026 by seven Rio Rancho area lawmakers did not yield any results in an online search Jan. 1.

The governor's call will be issued a few days before the session starts, said Leah March, communications adviser for Lujan Grisham.

When lawmakers return to the Roundhouse, they will have a $11.3 billion budget recommendation to consider from Lujan Grisham, who is entering her final legislative session and will leave office next year. The governor's proposal includes a $502.8 million, or 4.6%, spending increase over the budget for the current fiscal year, the governor stated in a news release.

Cullen said the governor's budget sets a broad framework for the Legislature, but it still has to review and refine a budget.

"Much of the overall structure is typically adopted, with adjustments made through the legislative process to reflect outcomes and regional needs," Cullen wrote.

Cullen said her priorities include education outcomes, career-technical education and health care. To her, the short session should focus on "issues ready for action."

Cates said her priorities are health care, water conservation, housing and disability advocacy, similar to previous sessions. To that end, she is working on five bills without an appropriation request. But the bills will only be read on the floor if they are part of the governor's call, Cates said. She added that she hopes the state considers reforming the way the Legislature does business by mandating 90-day sessions every year.

Block said his priorities reflect the Republican caucus agenda. Bills are being drafted on judicial reform, homelessness, behavioral health and "local government empowerment," he wrote in a social media post.

In an interview,  Block — who sat on a legislative public safety task force earlier this year — will co-sponsor bills related to juvenile crime.

"I would argue Sandoval County may be the safest county in the entire state, but I care about the entire state when it comes to juvenile crime, and it's a huge issue," Block said.  

He plans to sponsor a bill on short-term rentals, revising previous legislation to make it less burdensome on homeowners to rent out on websites such as Airbnb.

Block said  he is not optimistic that the bills would be heard by Democratic committee chairs.

Sen. Cindy Nava, D-Bernalillo, wrote in an email that she plans to prioritize health care access and career pathways, with an emphasis on investments in education and workforce training.

"These strategies are essential not only to meet urgent needs, but to build a sustainable health care system for our state’s future," Nava wrote. 

She supports the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which she believes will "strengthen our ability to attract qualified healthcare professionals statewide."

Nava also supports the one-time funding available for roads projects, including those in Rio Rancho. 

"I am happy to see the roadside projects appropriation ... which reflects targeted investment in community infrastructure that supports economic vitality and public well-being," she wrote.

Aside from lawmakers' own priorities, entities including the city of Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Bernalillo Public Schools and Sandoval County have all submitted priorities to the Legislature. Sandoval County would like lawmakers to prioritize enhancing availability of behavioral health and substance abuse services; RRPS wants to address cybersecurity and support for Career-Technical Education; the city of Rio Rancho wants lawmakers to provide regulations for retired employees to return to clerical positions and update the Inspection of Public Records Act.

Other local lawmakers — Sen. Craig Brandt, Rep. Alan Martinez and Joshua Hernandez (all R-Rio Rancho) — did not immediately respond to request for comment.