Legislative roundup — Feb. 12

Days remaining in session: 6

Bail compromise?

The bail bond industry and key legislators pushing proposed constitutional amendments to reform the state’s bail system apparently have agreed to a compromise.

J.D. Bullington, lobbyist for the American Bail Coalition, said Thursday night that his group has “agreed in principle and to specific terms” on a proposed constitutional amendment.

Neither he nor Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and House Republican Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, would reveal the exact language of the compromise. “All I’ll say is that both parts of the amendment are still intact,” said Wirth, who sponsored one of two competing amendments on bail reform. Both lawmakers said they hope to make a public announcement Friday morning.

No to fingerprints

Numerous groups, including the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association, said Thursday they oppose requiring fingerprinting of undocumented immigrants who receive state driver’s licenses or driver’s authorization cards.

House Republicans and Gov. Susana Martinez favor fingerprinting of immigrants seeking driving privileges. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have stripped the fingerprinting provision out of a House bill. The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Santa Fe Safe said the Senate rewrite of the bill is better for public safety.

They say facial imaging on driver’s licenses already provides states with a good security system against fraud. Fingerprinting, they say, would be an expensive and punitive measure that would discourage immigrants from obtaining a driver’s authorization card or license. The advocacy groups say licenses are “an essential tool” for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in seeking help and safety.

Tracking campaign cash

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill that would make it easier for the public to track the millions of dollars spent on campaigns during state elections.

HB 105, sponsored by Rep. Jim Smith, R-Sandia Park, and Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, appropriates $985,000 to the Secretary of State’s Office to pay for upgrades, maintenance and operations for the electronic reporting system.

Lawmakers in the 70-member House passed the bill by a 65-0 vote. It now goes to the Senate.

Forfeiting pensions

A House committee on Thursday recommended the Public Pension Forfeiture Act that would strip state officials of their pension benefits if they are convicted of a felony while in office.

The House Safety and Civil Affairs voted give a do-pass recommendation to House bill 278, sponsored by Rep. Zach Cook, R-Ruidoso.

The measure was sparked by public outrage last year over the fact that former Secretary of State Dianna Duran entered into a plea deal with Attorney General Hector Balderas’ office in which she pleaded guilty to two felonies but was allowed to keep her government pensions.

The measure, which is supported by the governor, moves to the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Cook.

Quote of the day

“English is not racism. English is the international language.” — Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, speaking against a memorial by Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, aimed at combating institutional racism. Senators approved Lopez’s memorial 28-5.

— The Santa Fe New Mexican