Legislative roundup, Feb. 7, 2024

Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos, said the bill has more than 21 sponsors on both sides of the aisle.

"This bill creates the Meat Inspection Act and authorizes the New Mexico Livestock Board to ensure meat and meat products offered for sale are safe for human consumption through an inspection process," Stefanics said.

Veterans' Services secretary appointed: Brig. Gen. Jamison Herrera is stepping in as Cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services on a permanent basis.

Herrera, who has served as acting secretary since September following the departure of Donnie Quintana, was appointed to the post Tuesday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

"Secretary-designate Herrera has already proven his dedication to military service throughout his more than 34 years in the New Mexico National Guard," Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "With his extensive military experience, he is well-positioned to advocate for and address the challenges faced by veterans and their families and make sure they receive the services they deserve."

Herrera, a New Mexico native, said in a statement he was grateful to the governor for the opportunity to serve the state's veterans.

"I'm committed to maintaining the same dedication I've had working with servicemen and women," he said. "I eagerly anticipate building relationships to expand and synchronize veterans' services across the state.

Indigenous task force advances: Senate Joint Memorial 2, which would convene — or, more aptly, restart — a task force to provide recommendations to address New Mexico's crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives, secured a unanimous "do pass" recommendation from the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

The proposed task force would be housed within the state Department of Justice and include lawmakers, public safety officials, Native American survivors of violence and representatives of various tribes, as well as nonprofits serving Indigenous communities. 

In 2021, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order creating a previous task force housed in the Indian Affairs Department.

However, her administration quietly ended the task force in mid-2023.  

Kudos for Campos: The New Mexico Senate honored the longest-serving member of the chamber — Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas — with a certificate and words of glowing praise for about 1½ hours.

"The true admiration that we have for you is really a symbol of who we all strive to be as New Mexicans," Lt. Gov. Howie Morales told Campos, who has served in the Legislature since 1991.

Campos teared up several times as his colleagues shared deeply personal and touching stories, from Campos writing scripts for freshman lawmakers presenting a bill for the first time to providing spiritual guidance in his role as a Catholic deacon.

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, called Campos "a gentleman — so kind and caring, so open and cordial and welcoming to everyone."

Stewart said she liked how Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, described Campos: an even-natured human being.

"It seems to me that you find a way to connect with all of us in some way, so what's been really important to me is the conversations you and I have had about finding peace among the chaos," she said.

Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca, R-Belen, said Campos epitomizes the decorum within the Senate.

Quote of the day: "Because you've guided me so much in the Senate, my mom knew about what you did, and every day she recites a rosary for you." — Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Española, describing how Campos took him under his wing when he joined the Senate.