Peter Wirth, Majority Floor Leader | Senate Democrats
The New Mexico Senate convened on March 7, 2025, addressing several legislative matters and confirming gubernatorial appointments. A tribute was paid to Bill Richardson, a notable figure in both state and international politics. Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) remarked, “There is no question that Bill was a man of big ideas who was not willing to go along with the status quo.” Richardson's career spanned roles as U.S. Representative, U.N. Ambassador, Secretary of Energy, and Governor of New Mexico.
Among the bills passed was Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), which aims to educate youth about nicotine's dangers by increasing excise taxes on e-cigarettes and similar products from 25% to 40%. The generated $6 million will fund education programs through the Nicotine Prevention Fund. Hickey stated, “Nicotine is the gateway drug to addiction...the data shows that the higher the cost, the less the uptake.”
Senate Bill 274, also discussed, seeks to streamline state asset transactions by raising monetary value thresholds for necessary approvals from the State Board of Finance. It passed unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House.
The Senate confirmed Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s appointments of Gary John Tripp and Elaine Luna to the New Mexico Highlands University board of Regents with unanimous votes.
Additional legislation included passing Senate Bill 18 concerning swatting crimes (36-0), changes in self-service storage rentals under Senate Bill 180 (26-16), and regulations on firearm licenses and transfers via Senate Bill 507 (27-10).
