Mimi Stewart, Senate President Pro Tem | Senate Democrats
Gina DeBlassie has been confirmed as the Secretary for the Department of Health in New Mexico. Senator George Muñoz expressed strong support for her appointment, highlighting her awareness of health-related issues and experience.
The New Mexico Senate passed Senate Bill 219 with a vote of 33-4. This bill establishes a medically supervised program for the use of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, for medicinal purposes. The program aims to provide new treatment options for individuals with qualifying health conditions under approved medical supervision. An equity fund will be set up to ensure access for those meeting income requirements. Senator Jeff Steinborn, who sponsored the bill, emphasized its potential benefits for mental health patients.
Co-sponsor Senator Martin Hickey supported the bill, citing positive clinical treatment experiences and calling it a step towards normalizing this therapy under professional care.
Senate Bill 267 was passed by a vote of 37-2, aiming to protect rental applicants from excessive fees and improve transparency in rental agreements. It mandates that rental terms and fees be disclosed in listings and allows applicants to submit their own recent background checks and credit reports. Senator Carrie Hamblen praised the bipartisan support for this measure amid housing affordability challenges.
Other legislative actions included confirming Chris Hefner as State Mine Inspector and passing several bills related to public office travel reimbursement, gaming control standards, harm definitions, and veteran property tax exemptions.
In the House of Representatives, Senate Bill 5 passed with a vote of 42-26. This legislation focuses on modernizing wildlife management in New Mexico to preserve wildlife populations and support outdoor economic activities.
Senate Bill 163 also passed unanimously, ensuring Native American students can wear tribal regalia or culturally significant objects at graduation ceremonies or public school events.
