Allison Riley, public policy director for the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce (NMCC), said the chamber opposes the New Mexico Green Amendment as the “undefined” terms could lead to lawsuits and “project delays,” despite the state’s “strong environmental laws.”Riley made her statement at the New Mexico House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee meeting on February 3, 2025.
“While we all share the goal of protecting New Mexico's natural resources and the environment, the language in the current bill is open-ended and undefined, with terms like ‘safe climate’ and ‘healthful qualities of the environment,’” said Riley at the committee meeting. “When standards like this are undefined, businesses, developers, and even local governments can face costly lawsuits, creating uncertainty for sectors across the state, including tourism, agriculture, and construction. Without clear regulatory guidelines, essential projects like broadband expansion, renewable energy, and housing construction could be delayed or blocked entirely due to legal challenges.”
“New Mexico already has strong environmental laws that we should keep in place and continue enforcing,” said Riley. “Therefore, rather than enshrining vague and sweeping language into the Constitution, we should focus on maintaining and enforcing these existing laws.”
The New Mexico House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee reviewed HJR-3, the New Mexico Green Amendment, proposing adding constitutional rights to clean air, water, soil, and healthy ecosystems while assigning governments as trustees to protect these resources. Supporters emphasized climate change mitigation, while those opposing cited economic concerns and vague language. The committee voted 6-3 along party lines to approve the bill with “no recommendation,” sending it to the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
NMCC advocates for pro-business policies, represents New Mexico businesses in policy discussions and provides support through government relations and legislative updates. Riley is the director of public policy for NMCC, with experience in political campaigns, public relations, and roles including press secretary and PR director for New Mexico's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion.
The New Mexico House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative D. Wonda Johnson (D) with Representative Charlotte Little (D) as Vice Chair, includes members from both parties. Formed in 2015, the committee addresses government operations, elections, and Indian affairs and is appointed by the Speaker of the House.
