Budget, guns to be focus for Legislature

New Mexico’s legislative session kicks off a 30-day run Tuesday with a focus on budget issues.

But local lawmakers expect the Second Amendment and crime rates will also be hot topics of conversation and possibly new legislation.

Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, said she expects age limits to purchase guns, waiting periods for gun buys and guns in polling places will be among issues addressed before the session ends on Feb. 15.

“The primary focus is going to be, besides the budget, the Second Amendment and gun control,” Reeb said.

Recently appointed Sen. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, agreed. He said Gov. Michellle Lujan Grisham’s biggest priority is removing guns from the hands of people who are committing crimes.

“She is wanting to restrict our citizens’ Second Amendment rights, but that will be a battle,” Nibert said.

Nibert said he’s not sure how “serious” Democrats will be in dealing with the issue of crime.

“They’ve been pretty soft on crime and we’re reaping the results of that leniency,” he said.

In addition to the other gun-related bills, Reeb said she will be advocating for a tax credit for individuals who purchase a gun safe. The idea was inspired by the governor’s safe storage of firearms bill that was passed last session, Reeb said.

“It might encourage people to get the gun safe so for there not to be a violation of the law down the road,” Reeb said.

Another bill Reeb said she supports would give police the authority, with a warrant from a judge, to do blood draws in misdemeanor DWI cases.

She said currently the law won’t allow a blood test unless the alleged crime is a felony or involves an accident with injuries.

“So we’ll give law enforcement the additional tools (they need) when people are impaired, whether it’s a mixture of alcohol, a controlled substance, cannabis or whatever it might be,” Reeb said.

Rep. Jack Chatfield, R-Mosquero, and Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, said they plan to push for legislation to assist rural hospitals.

Chatfield said he hopes to reduce the legal liability of hospitals from $5 million to $1 million.

“A few years back that liability went from $1 million to $5 million and now our hospitals can hardly afford the insurance and are in danger of closing. So I have a bill to reduce that liability,” Chatfield said.

Woods said his bill would use $30 million to assist nine rural hospitals who are struggling keeping their doors open. He said the bill will give them an influx of cash to afford insurance and continue assisting New Mexico residents.