[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6276591,"mediaKeyId","2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf","parentId",2659150,"title","Committee restores engineering exemption for rural electric co‑ops after debate on safety and cost","audioSeconds",1205,"startMs",6885000,"endMs",8090000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf&start=6885&end=8090","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf/thumbnail_6885000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276591/New-Mexico/Committee-restores-engineering-exemption-for-rural-electric-coops-after-debate-on-safety-and-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276591-a95126a8c9374d689c567ec40dff6baf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136270&Signature=NsrjvNvh0x3w2NbTP0ZxGfcwPzAKkPqkKQ5nk0gwfYDvjmmG4H-exX3GZM8RLcaj-bSaFAP8GzOS-oqd6DiII-KFWkPdKD72RdGQf~422Zfgvc2T3TVrJQEEJ5QS8n1fFbRY7k-BkR8CWyG8mrGq7MzUGqkto44~8iPLHzIBCFApGsQeXtW6iQXAy3g7Jz514k~pM9FdwXoBettmIgBFPji9z7aaiYY5oSkHvFn4wlAuAaBg4W2bviQEmXTmDgRIB8N16XjKJQKmCXQb5m5qMLLrZa-vcdoctvMz-jlrsescsjSHILBanAIuPVyOpthyCevS66dFDl9ON31mDXl~kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-15T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 323 (as discussed in committee) would modify statutory engineering practice requirements by clarifying exemptions for electric cooperatives performing construction and maintenance within easements and rights‑of‑way under established Rural Utilities Service (RUS) standards and other engineering specifications.

Representative Sanchez and Representative Pettigrew said the bill restores a status quo that existed prior to earlier changes: co‑ops follow RUS specifications, employ experienced line crews and inspectors, and already submit multi‑year plans and stamped project closeout documents to obtain funding and to certify completed work. \"Safety is our number one priority and we can't deliver reliable and affordable electricity without safety standards,\" a cooperative representative told the committee. Sponsors stressed that large projects are designed and inspected by licensed professional engineers (PEs) and that the statutory change would reduce duplicative costs and procedural burdens on small, member‑owned utilities.

Opponents included the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers and the New Mexico Board of Engineers and Surveyors. Richard Martinez (New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers) warned the bill \"does not mention the word safety once\" and argued it could create contributory‑negligence exposure and reduce the statutory protections associated with licensed engineering oversight. The Board of Engineers and Surveyors said the bill’s language had the effect of broad exemption and suggested a narrower amendment clarifying that co‑ops may be exempt only where they are not providing engineering services to the public.

Sponsors replied that co‑ops already submit stamped plans for major projects and that the amendment process adopted in committee preserves engineer review at the planning and close‑out stages. They argued the bill would not remove civil liability or public‑safety obligations; rather it would avoid needless PE stamps on routine service extensions and line jobs that utilities complete daily.

The committee voted 9–1 to pass the bill; sponsors said the bill returns New Mexico to the prior regulatory approach while preserving safety through required RUS standards, PE‑stamped major project plans and post‑construction inspections.

Why it matters: Rural electric cooperatives cover large geographic areas with small staffs and said the bill lowers the cost of routine work without removing end‑of‑project engineer certification. Professional engineering groups said the statutory carve‑out risks public safety and urged narrower drafting.

What’s next: The bill passed the committee and will advance for further consideration; sponsors and engineering boards indicated they would continue dialogue on precise statutory language and safeguards.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A bill clarifying engineering practice exemptions for rural electric cooperatives passed the committee 9–1 after proponents said the measure preserves long‑standing utility construction standards and opponents warned it could allow unlicensed engineering practice and raised safety concerns.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",78419,"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},6276596,"Committee advances bill to create trade‑port districts and public‑private framework after amendment",1653,2828000,4481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf&start=2828&end=4481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf/thumbnail_2828000.jpg","/articles/6276596/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-bill-to-create-tradeport-districts-and-publicprivate-framework-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276596-8ebef67c0c5620febfd7a83e3719434f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136270&Signature=Woff0axj~VZ2hjC~slK-luKa~5K5qDPr3QeAEe9iLxvssmNkkObWyshlmCpbvphRwzcpaoh7FPqaxmw5UICIih7Vp8b-3Xbk7U0kkBV7i1gGiYByOde19UZP~uF4lE8mo2a6KBBoOxa2o0zF8fxQ6VrcfWp0yhjPVwcR0b6ReQGx9I66I1knQXWR2kSDQIBKITLi7gySiP0de3SQ7ruP~TK5J8lTOaZ~buGCxj0a93Ir8ZySAIRjYtXFgLet5WHmYIDNwfTytXZ1Foyl7KHM4q85RmxcJQB6M~gddC0yNJSgRsdq5mlySWcius89t6yG~BMLfF5gNsKyubqUa2UVhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 19, presented by Representative Lundstrom on behalf of Representative Bunsham, would establish a statutory framework for \"trade port districts\": geographic districts designed to coordinate infrastructure use, public incentives and public‑private partnerships to expand freight, logistics and trade‑related economic development across New Mexico.

Representative Lundstrom and cosponsor Representative Lauren said the proposal would allow regions with existing assets — including Dona Ana, Bernalillo and McKinley counties — to plan trade‑port projects, establish advisory committees, set criteria for projects, and identify guidelines for potential public‑private partnership (P3) agreements, including clawbacks and feasibility requirements.

Supporters including county officials and chambers of commerce emphasized potential benefits for rural communities that have suffered job losses in energy and industry. Peter Campos of the Gallup‑McKinley County Chamber said assessments identify transportation and logistics as central to his region’s economic potential. \"House Bill 19 would help our community by helping to build strategies and opportunities around our existing economic assets,\" he told the committee.

Committee members focused discussion on a procurement exemption in a late-drafted section that would have broadly exempted trade‑port projects from the state Procurement Code. Several senators, led by Senator Wirth, argued a blanket exemption risked eroding procurement oversight. Rob Black, the governor’s designee for Economic Development, said the challenge was the Procurement Code’s limits on long‑term contracts that P3 partners often require; long contract terms can be necessary to secure private capital for multi‑decade infrastructure.

The sponsor agreed to strike the broad Section 12 exemption and the committee adopted an amendment removing that section, with the committee then passing the bill as amended 9–0. Committee members asked sponsors and the Economic Development Department to develop narrower language (for example, targeted exemptions for long‑term contracts over a set number of years or narrowly tailored carve‑outs tied to business plans) before the measure appears in Senate Finance and Judiciary.

Why it matters: Supporters argued the bill would allow New Mexico to coordinate regional trade and logistics investments and attract private capital through P3 arrangements, potentially spurring jobs and infrastructure in outlying counties. Critics warned that broad procurement carve‑outs could reduce oversight and allow outcomes that do not protect public interests.

What’s next: The committee sent the bill forward as amended 9–0. Sponsors and the Economic Development Department will draft narrower procurement/P3 language for Senate Finance and potentially Judiciary to consider.

","A bill to create trade‑port districts and enable public‑private partnerships moved forward 9–0 after members agreed to strike a broad procurement exemption and seek narrower language in the next committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6276601,"Committee backs coverage for coronary calcium screening and narrows patient cost-sharing for cholesterol drugs",1183,1161000,2344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf&start=1161&end=2344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf/thumbnail_1161000.jpg","/articles/6276601/New-Mexico/Committee-backs-coverage-for-coronary-calcium-screening-and-narrows-patient-cost-sharing-for-cholesterol-drugs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276601-7e477de29bb75148486e83259df96938/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136270&Signature=P0DDu4FdY~8fE8v4DP1nEJeuUZa6FevcukVR3KjZH1icW8umrzrWuNqi~IsHUuYWC3IE-YqPJg5sQRCeYUZ1MW4yC2aUbZMv~aDAR~4RjF20Z2cGYrNvzmvPdSJ8ds9G8J9vJ5T9a55jlasX6Sf15HQpHhSB8SQSRImoLh7-~y-YysGBVziYk1ngKhwX6osTQm70D2W1VwQcd4Yita0ZmXsuZzvK4qbYgQAZFwwYtFvojJKQySLgThHfi0xkeTe0nbBkO8t3ydUUI9TBcbhfUZUi5Q16ovrTQhemUYI~QuE5nduaY33nBK7RKC7nlmifTPPzqXtv3HbwXaHTHujryA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Michael Hickey told the committee that the committee substitutes for Senate Bills 278 and 443 would increase access to screening and treatment that supporters said can prevent costly heart attacks.

Hickey described coronary artery calcium screening as a low‑cost CT scan that can detect active atherosclerotic disease and identify people at high risk of heart attack; he said the scan costs about $35 if negotiated and recommended it be treated as a preventive service. \"A calcium scan of the heart, a 5 minute procedure that costs about $35 to actually do by the radiologist,\" Hickey said, explaining the test can detect active disease and lead to preventive care. The committee substitute for SB 278 would reduce or eliminate cost-sharing for the screening and make it easier for primary care clinicians and some pharmacists in expanded roles to recommend and order the test.

Hickey and witnesses also described changes affecting cholesterol treatment in the companion substitute (often discussed alongside the screening bill). Sponsors said the package would remove co‑pays for inexpensive generic statins and address barriers to more expensive second‑line therapies for patients who cannot tolerate statins or do not reach LDL goals. \"The other drugs do have co pays, but competition are bringing them down, and they'd only be used if there are side effects of the statins and or if you can't get the LDL below 50,\" Hickey said.

Supporters included the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (represented by Vierra Nakeva and pharmacist Alejandro Amparan), the University of New Mexico clinicians, the Coalition of stakeholders and Providence‑area clinical experts. Nakeva told the committee the Superintendent’s office \"stand[s] in support of Senate Bill Committee substitute for 75278\" (as presented) and recommended coverage in line with clinical guidelines. Pharmacist Alejandro Amparan said heart disease is New Mexico's top killer and stressed the need to reduce barriers to screening and evidence-based medications.

Opponents urging caution included Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico and the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA). Marla Schoetz (Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico) asked for clarity on which cholesterol drugs would be covered without cost-sharing and urged a broader review of the state's multiple single‑drug cost‑sharing changes, noting that eliminating co‑pays shifts costs to premiums and could affect small‑group markets. Jonathan Buxton (PCMA) argued that lowering cost‑sharing would raise premiums because the cost is redistributed across all plan members and urged incentives to favor the most cost effective therapies.

After public testimony and sponsor remarks, the committee voted to advance the committee substitutes. Do‑pass motions for the substitute measures were recorded by the committee. Committee members voting to move the committee substitutes emphasized prevention and long‑term savings; those opposing cited potential premium impacts and urged further study of the cumulative fiscal effect of multiple co‑pay eliminations.

Why it matters: Sponsors argued that modest upfront investments in screening and in removing minor financial barriers to guideline therapies could prevent heart attacks and save substantial future health‑care costs. Insurers warned that without a broader policy review the cost will be shifted into premiums, affecting employers and healthy enrollees.

What’s next: The committee approved the committee substitutes and sent them forward for further consideration; the committee and sponsors signaled a willingness to work with insurers on definitions of covered medicines and on implementation details.

","Committee approved committee substitutes to expand insurance coverage for coronary artery calcium screening and reduce cost-sharing for certain cholesterol treatments after proponents said the measures would prevent costly heart attacks and opponents warned about shifting costs to premiums.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6276606,"Committee tables franchise fairness bill after constitutional concerns",613,510000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf&start=510&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2659150-d0bdb12c3546e2e45417018ea829e0bf/thumbnail_510000.jpg","/articles/6276606/New-Mexico/Committee-tables-franchise-fairness-bill-after-constitutional-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276606-5bcafa8504c02b6cabcd4b590f1659aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136270&Signature=Owde37hYBAYxYNy7wFSZkKGrE1nz4oyFpDi9pb81rt4Vy8-waQrpL6kS3BtxCz4Lv6-yLF0pi02UBHfzZchqWKTzivdaTBhW3LVxxav3asHyuFOBFshSsYqBlLeV9auL-A6VdYtpEtVFiGnr0MgKpLJP0Lvja94IaDErGas2NovlskdmWT1n9FfbVbTiT5w~vH2jEqu9tLI93rMZE9DblKWtzn6D8TaQb7Gm0LP46HHtW8BXPb2ja4jLaF9ERQauxMuBzhH7AxLt1UWJz8qQFfTDi4qwqMvTePoDbfKnHLyb8DTmkt7r9FHNRW0nf7NmpjVvxtBL3L4PJcamaA~QOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Joseph Sanchez introduced Senate Bill 439, a measure aimed at tightening state oversight of franchise contracts to protect franchisees from what sponsors described as unfair franchisor practices.

The bill, presented by Senator Sanchez with expert witnesses, would limit certain franchise contract provisions that sponsors say concentrate bargaining power with franchisors. Jen Paul Schreier, introduced to the committee as “Jen Paul Schreier, former cabinet secretary,” told the committee the proposal would ban or restrict several contract practices and limit post-contract noncompetes to two years, aligning New Mexico with roughly 15 other states and recent Federal Trade Commission guidance. \"The franchising sector is a very interesting relationship … the balance, the power is with the franchisor,\" Schreier said.

Jason Espinosa, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, added that the bill would \"protect small businesses and strengthen New Mexico's economy.\" Senator Sanchez said the measure is intended to \"equalize the playing field so that way there are fair business practices here in New Mexico.\"

But committee members raised legal doubts. Senator Jaramillo pointed to the committee analysis and state and federal constitutional provisions and asked whether the bill would run afoul of the U.S. Constitution's Contracts Clause and the Commerce Clause and cited the New Mexico Constitution's Article II, Section 19. After the sponsor deferred to the witnesses, Schreier said the Office of the Attorney General had expressed “significant interest” in the measure and that other states had enacted similar statutes.

Senator Paul moved to table the bill, calling for more time and interim conversations. The motion to table passed 6–4, halting further action in committee pending additional work and legal review.

Why it matters: sponsors argued the bill protects local franchise owners who invest their savings and are often bound by national contracts that limit independent purchasing and impose long noncompete periods. Opponents and some committee members said the constitutional and interstate-commerce risks need thorough review before New Mexico adopts statutory limits.

What’s next: The tabling motion passed 6–4, and the sponsor and committee members suggested follow-up conversations during the interim and consultation with the Department of Justice and counsel to resolve constitutional questions.

","A Senate bill to restrict franchise contract clauses and limit noncompete terms was tabled 6–4 after committee members raised U.S. constitutional and commerce-clause concerns and requested further study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee restores engineering exemption for rural electric co‑ops after debate on safety and cost

Committee advances bill to create trade‑port districts and public‑private framework after amendment

Committee backs coverage for coronary calcium screening and narrows patient cost-sharing for cholesterol drugs

Committee tables franchise fairness bill after constitutional concerns