ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – When New Mexico lawmakers create new laws, they don’t all go into effect right away. Many go into effect on July 1. So, what recently created laws are now officially active?
During the 2024 regular lawmaking session, politicians only had 30 days to create new laws, and much of that time was spent putting together the state’s budget. Still, they passed several consequential bills that are now in effect.
A new law aims to help get more law enforcement officers into New Mexico communities. House Bill 236 lets retired law enforcement and public safety workers go back to work without giving up their pension. The idea is to help fill vacancies at places like the state’s corrections department, Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and state courthouses.
In a similar vein, a law is going into effect to provide incentives for experienced law enforcement officers. House Bill 193 doesn’t lay out new payments, but it amends the existing law to clarify which law enforcement officers can receive special retention pay.
Also going into effect is a law to let the state try to create a special Smokey Bear license plate. The plate would cost more than a regular license plate, but some of the extra money would go to the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to help prevent forest fires. In 2023, lawmakers tried to get the ball rolling on a Smokey Bear plate, but the exact wording of the idea delayed progress.
Starting now, the state’s Veterans’ Services Department has a legal mandate to study the issue of suicide prevention among veterans. House Bill 289 establishes the “Service Members and Veterans Suicide Prevention Program,” which will create annual reports on suicide prevention.
Several years after legalizing recreational cannabis in New Mexico, the state’s lawmakers have now filled some potential gaps to the law. Going into effect, the updated rules clarifies that cannabis is considered contraband in state correctional facilities. The updated law also gives some privacy protections to sources that disclose information to the Cannabis Control Division for an investigation into illegal activity.
Lawmakers are scheduled to meet later this month to have a special lawmaking session to try to address crime and justice in the state. If they can come to an agreement, they might create additional laws to curb key community issues. You can read more about the proposals at this link.
