New Mexico Senator Craig Brandt announced that he has introduced SB 195, a bill prohibiting antisemitic discrimination to address and prevent it statewide. The announcement was made in a press release on January 30.
According to the press release, the proposed legislation seeks to formalize Executive Order 2022-118, issued by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in August 2022. By amending the Human Rights Act, the bill explicitly prohibits antisemitic discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and other areas. The legislation aims to address rising concerns over antisemitism and ensure stronger safeguards for Jewish individuals and communities. Introduced on January 30, 2025, the bill will undergo committee review and public hearings, with legislators encouraging public participation.
Grisham issued Executive Order 2022-118, requiring New Mexico state agencies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The order cites rising antisemitic incidents and the need for a uniform definition to combat discrimination. State agencies must consider this definition when assessing potential violations of anti-discrimination policies, according to the Office of the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
According to the New Mexico Legislature, the bill mandates compliance from individuals, employers, and public entities, ensuring protections against antisemitic discrimination. It defines antisemitism as a perception of Jewish people that may manifest as hatred or discriminatory actions. Those who experience such discrimination are granted the right to file claims under the Human Rights Act, reinforcing the state’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
Craig Brandt was elected to the State Senate in 2012 after serving on the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education. He has sponsored multiple laws and serves on the Senate Education and Public Affairs Committees, focusing on education policy and legal reforms. Since 2020, he has been the Senate Minority Whip. His legislative efforts include crime-related measures, DUI reforms, and changes to medical tax policies. He has worked on border security initiatives and played a role in tax negotiations, including a medical GRT exemption.
