[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6291411,"mediaKeyId","2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a","parentId",2530053,"title","Committee tables bill to raise maximum sentence for fentanyl trafficking to 30 years after split testimony","audioSeconds",3880,"startMs",130000,"endMs",4010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a&start=130&end=4010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a/thumbnail_130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291411/New-Mexico/Committee-tables-bill-to-raise-maximum-sentence-for-fentanyl-trafficking-to-30-years-after-split-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291411-4ca4224360ebc06294b845d5dcfc1c7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193082&Signature=DCSUlnIi3mUDC0U8qRWfMvhGWMh2oCYOjI9PbtLkFYofAfG4Vx2D9FPmAN04pP16q5lBPAU1ylmDUZHxMmF8ON1qvyTiWL900MiXn3-VqII~jaCF0u3pkcd3g3TSdB3wjFlmtBxsTmHvvcGwPKkAD4RVGi4jhrhTyrj2Mq7K5oPqFrvDP2ScAXYgxrudn9lRDnLXeF3SmnMNV~trAg~BrJJa4YG9Hmqp5m9gqNdU6iF~EEr07bUQzVPGUpgWkrkNG1UW5jG0gsEusQW4BYIfdueIIBOl7994S8yo38KSdRMR1owO2ZqSwdL25M6FQmx1-hP5HJyzIX7xZaU1-ynNKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Elaine Cenacortez, sponsor of House Bill 274 (trafficking fentanyl as a first‑degree felony), outlined the proposal and turned to law‑enforcement experts for technical detail. \"I hope that we can all agree on 3 fundamental premises. Number 1, drug addicts in so many respects are victims,\" Cenacortez told the committee. The bill would increase the statutory maximum for fentanyl trafficking from nine years to 30 years; sponsors described the change as a sentencing tool for prosecutors rather than a change to how cases are charged or tried.

The bill’s principal supporters framed the measure as a response to rising fentanyl seizures and overdose deaths. Commander Ibarra of the Lee County Drug Task Force described the supply chain he attributed to China and Mexico and provided seizure figures: \"In 02/2023, we got approximately 80,000 pills\" and \"in 02/2024, we got about 74,000\" pills. He said about \"70 to 80 percent\" of significant trafficking cases involved firearms. Marcus Montoya, the president of the New Mexico District Attorneys Association, endorsed the proposal: \"I do stand in support of this.\"

Opponents warned the change would widen incarceration and fail to address underlying addiction. Courtney Montoya of the ACLU of New Mexico said, \"The ACLU is in strong opposition of HB 274,\" arguing that life sentences fuel mass incarceration and divert resources from treatment. Diane McConach, a mother who shared family experience with addiction, urged rejection: \"Criminalizing people and incarcerating people for life for this devastating medical condition is beyond the pale.\" The Law Office of the Public Defender, represented by Ricky Lee Chavez, also opposed the bill and noted that life terms are traditionally reserved for murder and the most serious offenses.

Committee members pressed witnesses on how the bill would be applied in practice. Sponsor Cenacortez and law‑enforcement witnesses emphasized that the bill targets traffickers—defined in testimony as individuals with large quantities, packaging for distribution, evidence of sales, and often firearms—and not casual users. Law‑enforcement testimony described scenarios of exploitation, including an account of a young woman the task force said was groomed into heavy daily fentanyl use and trafficking by an older partner.

After public testimony and extended questioning, a motion to table the bill passed on a roll call. The committee recorded four votes in favor of tabling and two opposed; the roll showed Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, the vice chair, and the chair voting to table, and Representatives Block and Ward voting against tabling. The committee announced the bill \"tabled\" at the hearing’s conclusion.

What happened next: The committee did not advance the bill; tabling preserves the measure without immediate passage and allows sponsors or members to pursue amendments or return the measure at a future hearing.

Why it matters: Supporters said stronger penalties provide prosecutors discretion to seek longer sentences for repeat and high‑volume traffickers and could deter activity or encourage cooperation with law enforcement. Opponents said the policy would expand incarceration and urged investment in treatment and prevention instead. Both sides cited data about rising seizures and fentanyl‑related overdoses when framing their positions.

Votes and formal action

- Action: Motion to table House Bill 274 (trafficking fentanyl as a first‑degree felony)
- Outcome: Tabled
- Vote tally (recorded): yes—Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, Vice Chair (name recorded in committee roll), Chair (name recorded in committee roll); no—Representative Block, Representative Ward

Speakers quoted in this article appear in the speaker list below and are quoted verbatim from the committee transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House - Consumer and Public Affairs Mar 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Elaine Cenacortez, sponsor of House Bill 274, told the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee the bill would raise the maximum sentence for fentanyl trafficking from nine to 30 years and is intended as a sentencing tool for prosecutors.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",78418,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291407,"Committee tables committee substitute expanding adults‑level treatment for some juvenile violent crimes; sponsors lower age to 14",3670,4015000,7685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a&start=4015&end=7685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a/thumbnail_4015000.jpg","/articles/6291407/New-Mexico/Committee-tables-committee-substitute-expanding-adultslevel-treatment-for-some-juvenile-violent-crimes-sponsors-lower-age-to-14","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291407-d3f4acdd99e2fd4ca06b8ffe57998dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193082&Signature=Ob04QnEVV0djU3Uu2OzbfItVJ2n0IHHViI3Plc82tZn3Y0TNjst~gkm-ATPYnoCvisKDg5wwlXMNSnftZ1SOXJv-nfLYT5YKXx4vXhFZ1cKWSFMz6Ql4gktK52rD1YkAtWLHXVkEEtX6hz~Mh6wy90XbJBt0zrIQ3X2Hb6TMOUim7geN1nFzek2Cb6eh3wkOPC22-2YP0GPtw3d~d6OPFMYvdnyysDntJJvLISeVoSVQbvns6x2mBed5xjU~VECIP9XEegxVcr3wg3F3TL2GW3E3awFICKYVbjLYC4JemgJLT3S5nqUh0YYyj-UNJ7gJqMFtdnbLcL64WWprlBZuYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Reed, sponsor of the committee substitute to House Bill 134 (delinquency act changes), presented a narrowed version of the bill intended to focus on the most serious juvenile violent offenses. The sponsor said the substitute lowers the threshold age for the \"serious youthful offender\" category from 15 to 14 for a short list of offenses and preserves amenability hearings for other listed violent crimes. \"This is a key piece of legislation that, I feel we must pass due to [the] grip on New Mexico's crime problem,\" the sponsor told the committee.

Under the substitute as described in committee, the bill would (a) lower the age for the most serious category to 14 and (b) add offenses including first‑ and second‑degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, robbery armed with a deadly weapon, and shooting at a dwelling or occupied building that results in great bodily harm. The sponsor and experts said other serious crimes (aggravated battery, kidnapping, dangerous use of explosives, certain arson and burglary offenses, homicide by vehicle and related counts) would remain eligible for an amenability hearing in juvenile court rather than automatically subjecting the child to adult sentencing.

Prosecution and law‑enforcement witnesses, including a district attorney and the Bernalillo County prosecutor's expert, argued the change addresses a documented rise in juvenile violent offenses and gives courts \"flexibility of time\" to provide rehabilitation or extended supervision that juvenile jurisdiction now cannot reach after age 21. Bernalillo County statistics supplied in testimony included a sharp rise in referrals and a multi‑year increase in firearm‑related juvenile felonies; one witness said the county had 1,542 juvenile referrals in a recent year with a portion classified as murder, armed robbery or shootings causing great bodily harm.

Civil‑liberties organizations, juvenile advocates and family members strongly opposed the substitute. Daniel Williams of the ACLU said, \"The ACLU opposes this bill, which represents a backwards approach to juvenile violent crime and ignores years of evidence based research,\" arguing the changes would expand the use of adult punishments for children and have long‑term harms. Multiple public commenters — including impacted family members and organizations working with justice‑involved youth — urged investment in prevention, treatment and supports rather than lowering the age for adult processing.

Committee members pressed sponsors on several points: which specific offenses would be tried as adults, how the amenability process would operate, and whether the change simply shifts a child from juvenile to adult sentencing without additional rehabilitative benefit. Sponsor and prosecution witnesses said that many cases targeted by the bill involve repeat, violent offenders who often return to crime after early release under current juvenile jurisdictional limits; they also noted that some children convicted as adults remain eligible for parole review in later years.

After debate, the committee voted to table the committee substitute. The motion to table carried by roll call, 4 in favor and 2 opposed; Representatives Romero, Thompson, the vice chair and the chair voted to table while Representatives Locke and Lord voted no. The hearing concluded with the committee announcing the substitute \"tabled.\" The sponsor said stakeholders had been consulted and indicated willingness to continue discussions.

Why it matters: The substitute targets a small subset of juvenile offenders accused of very serious violent acts and would change how the courts exercise jurisdiction and sentencing for those youth. Supporters framed the change as a public‑safety tool and a way to obtain extended time to supervise and rehabilitate violent youth; opponents said it expands adult criminal exposure for children and risks long‑term harm without addressing root causes.

Votes and formal action

- Action: Motion to table committee substitute to House Bill 134 (delinquency act changes)
- Outcome: Tabled
- Vote tally (recorded): yes—Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, Vice Chair, Chair; no—Representative Locke, Representative Lord

Speakers quoted in this article appear in the speaker list below and are quoted verbatim from the committee transcript.","The committee substitute to House Bill 134, proposing to lower the age and expand the list of violent offenses that can lead to adult processing, was tabled after extended testimony from prosecutors, law enforcement and civil‑liberties groups.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291401,"Votes at a glance: committee actions on three bills (HB462, HB274, HB134)",7649,36000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a&start=36&end=7685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530053-b428b2d88293e60f0e1d3ed694106a0a/thumbnail_36000.jpg","/articles/6291401/New-Mexico/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-actions-on-three-bills-HB462-HB274-HB134","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291401-13090654880b50380d29200c82b3d471/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193082&Signature=M2b06tIfK6Syg3~rQ8lkG3wBsYKV-R7SGV7yfWjWTiRl3fr1s7Ta74RWImn0oos62L0VHa9VShTssMByU9hH3e7I1W~MkXaDxCiul7KJUtqUVmx3Z3oEOO6-zHNWcbIt8s-jM08SCQDsKT7wrrrBqU1WWlTpR4zEqQHZun8JsZwNP7r5D8651WbL0WQTlU1oA8F6Rdalhrx0Nyzz7f~VwcejAWmkSNoUj4f-iij3UFE9KoVf7zNc~jDOiR2IVoVTPOtz7JEnXToiHC3-gips-~rc51TMgqZhjq8J3ph3IK8sQJGJaVy8mRrz0THni7QXwfYOw-5MiU~lB3fR1dxpFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three formal committee outcomes were recorded during the hearing.

House Bill 462 (increasing the notice period for nonpayment of rent): The committee recorded a \"due pass\" recommendation. Committee roll call on the motion for due pass recorded votes that produced a 4–2 outcome in favor of due pass (votes recorded in the transcript show a split roll call with two members voting no). The committee chair announced: \"on a vote of 4–2 there is a due pass for House Bill 462.\"

House Bill 274 (trafficking fentanyl as a first‑degree felony): After testimony for and against the bill, the committee adopted a motion to table. The roll call on tabling was 4 votes to table and 2 opposed (yes—Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, the vice chair, the chair; no—Representative Block, Representative Ward). The committee announced the bill was tabled.

House Bill 134 (committee substitute; delinquency act changes): The committee substitute was also tabled by roll call (4–2). Recorded yes votes to table included Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, the vice chair and the chair; recorded no votes included Representative Locke and Representative Lord. The chair announced: \"On a vote of 4 to 2, your bill has been tabled.\"

Each of the above outcomes was recorded in the committee transcript at the time of roll call; tabling keeps a bill in committee without advancing it to the floor and allows sponsors to revise or reschedule the measure.

Votes (recorded excerpts)

- HB462: Motion for due pass — outcome: due pass; recorded result: 4 yes, 2 no (names in roll: Representative Romero and Representative Thompson among yes votes; Representative Locke and Representative Lord among no votes as shown earlier in the transcript).

- HB274: Motion to table — outcome: tabled; roll call recorded yes—Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, Vice Chair, Chair; no—Representative Block, Representative Ward; final announced: \"Your bill has been tabled, for house bill 274.\"

- HB134 (committee substitute): Motion to table — outcome: tabled; roll call recorded yes—Representative Romero, Representative Thompson, Vice Chair, Chair; no—Representative Locke, Representative Lord; final announced: \"On a vote of 4 to 2, your bill has been tabled.\"

Notes: Vote records shown here reflect the roll calls announced in the committee transcript. Where member first names were not provided in the roll, the transcript roll identifiers (Representative + last name) are used.","The Consumer and Public Affairs Committee recorded three formal committee outcomes: a due‑pass recommendation on House Bill 462 (notice period for nonpayment of rent) and tabling of House Bills 274 (fentanyl trafficking) and the committee substitute to HB134 (juvenile code changes).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee tables bill to raise maximum sentence for fentanyl trafficking to 30 years after split testimony

Committee tables committee substitute expanding adults‑level treatment for some juvenile violent crimes; sponsors lower age to 14

Votes at a glance: committee actions on three bills (HB462, HB274, HB134)