[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6632032,"mediaKeyId","2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638","parentId",2676081,"title","Senate committee advances tax omnibus with EITC expansion and oil surtax after contentious hearing","audioSeconds",1650,"startMs",1851000,"endMs",3501000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638&start=1851&end=3501","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632032/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-advances-tax-omnibus-with-EITC-expansion-and-oil-surtax-after-contentious-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632032-fd378cd05226d7c7d631e9694d012686/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633398&Signature=E6CAoE3H0doQDkWhE8TUQm9T4OyU4IHzUwb-m83cOesHkTR79JHOPVCGazXDnLzvRgmmnyF1eUn5Mjg1reTSkcjXtI7Itmo4UaJqcC5FGHQzcWWhE3wSrv5S9l5~n5COtv4Kh-U35-YoMXENX2MYwqaffuqjhz58W9nDGANaktdIyY5h9IUXgSvZ1ycJT1mq6kg7W~1VGLg4RNNedLICjDCOYYNQuv6tIfFja72OUoBuOvRehGP2r~Khd3v~I-wEjFQCSopl-w-RpjsWRtTRdUd-0gon-BJl2D4vViDWiK8ie4Iod4M735-uM6tevn0TJnYRbJyksu8XHICqML4FVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate committee voted to advance a House committee substitute for House Bill 14, a tax omnibus package that would expand New Mexico's earned income tax credit (EITC) and add a revenue surtax tied to oil prices. The measure passed the committee after amendments and a contentious public hearing that included business groups, environmental advocates and anti‑poverty organizations.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the package would extend and strengthen an existing refundable credit for working families and pay for the expansion with a modest surtax on oil production when prices exceed a threshold. Supporters argued the proposal is progressive and will reduce poverty and stabilize state revenue; industry groups warned the surtax would add volatility and could harm small producers.

The bill sponsor and committee presenter described an approach that brings the oil and gas tax rates closer together — raising the oil rate from 3.15% to about 3.43% by adding a 0.28 percentage‑point surtax on oil while lowering the natural gas rate to 3.9% — producing an estimated $130 million in revenue after changes from earlier proposals. The presenter said an earlier House version had projected higher revenue but had been reduced after negotiations with industry and members.

Advocates who testified in favor included the Sierra Club Rio Grande chapter, New Mexico Voices for Children, the League of Women Voters, New Mexico Thrives and civic business groups arguing the EITC expansion will help low‑income workers, increase economic stability and decouple the state credit from potential future federal changes.

Industry groups opposed the surtax. Ashley Wagner of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association and other trade representatives cautioned that the oil and gas sector is volatile, provides thousands of jobs and that a surtax could discourage investment and risk production and employment. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico said the surtax could squeeze small producers and accelerate consolidation in the sector.

The committee also considered and adopted an amendment that raises revenue through an excise adjustment on non‑craft alcoholic beverages (described in the amendment as a 20% increase to certain liquor excise components). That amendment was adopted by voice and roll call before the committee proceeded to a final vote on the committee substitute.

Final action: The committee approved the committee substitute on a roll call that recorded six members in favor and four opposed. The transcript contains detailed debate on trigger provisions: sponsors said the surtax revenue collection would pause if the price per barrel falls below $55 for a six‑month period; tribal production would continue to receive applicable credits against state liability.

What’s next: The committee substitute will move to the full chamber for further consideration; sponsors and opponents indicated additional floor debate is likely.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 18, 2025 3:11 PM - 4:24 PM","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate committee approved a committee substitute for HB 14, a tax package that expands New Mexico’s earned income tax credit and adds a targeted surtax on oil production, after a contentious hearing featuring advocates and oil‑and‑gas industry representatives.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",29062,"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},6632038,"Senate committee advances Timber Grading Act after mixed testimony on grading standards",873,103000,976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638&start=103&end=976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638/thumbnail_103000.jpg","/articles/6632038/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-advances-Timber-Grading-Act-after-mixed-testimony-on-grading-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632038-b9d3da429e015e7fb931a8e1be076c7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633398&Signature=QwVcx59h4hQtxvSfXQN2pwqFXclFL0SZTxNvc3KhxBT-nXLr6CrME~xIJqQ9EYC6QBXzBbybztPyfCAR9k-AUHqkb5tfedAo3vf2Z5INq8lAebj9Nk0X~3F-Vx8tOfHLc3Acd2pcnzCkMwFUac23yuVuBnGGtcFsW639pHxHb9DSNOIX1dWIP-mkEYToPrf5PmPUheOJ3UfQe7mujBcQCcC8lMtAmfzPjw3OwtTZP~ayVR~VnhZxl3tnI~xN6W5eInpTkokzk0HhOTLz0h-P0-hB792OF-qkaUCgKdwAzrRoM1IbfmAeDFHMM-EERdyYfOX-~8NaLKdO9aY-1dQTqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate taxation committee voted to advance House Bill 553, the Timber Grading Act, after a public hearing that included support from local governments and tribal representatives and technical objections from national lumber‑standards organizations.

The bill, presented by Representative Vincent, would allow residential and commercial construction in New Mexico to use locally produced lumber, vigas and beams graded under a state certification system. Vincent and backers said the change would expand markets for wood removed during tree‑thinning and post‑fire hazard removal, help rebuild after wildfires and support multigenerational and tribally owned sawmills statewide.

Why it matters: supporters say HB 553 would create local economic opportunities for about 18 sawmills and three beam facilities cited by the sponsor and could lower costs and increase supply during post‑fire recovery. Opponents warned it could weaken national grading systems relied on by building codes and engineers.

At the hearing, Carrie Romba Brunder, speaking for Lincoln County, said the bill was designed to work with the Construction Industries Division (CID) so local certification would not require changes to building codes and would reduce reliance on out‑of‑state graders. A representative of the Mescalero Apache Tribe said the tribe supports HB 553 and plans to expand its two sawmills.

Industry witnesses raised concerns. David Kretchman, president of the American Lumber Standard Committee, said the bill as drafted \"cuts the very heart out of the ALC system,\" and argued it lacked liability links and other cadence of checks that give designers and owners recourse when structural lumber fails. Shane Nellis, regional manager for codes and standards at the American Wood Council, warned that field verification relies on PS 20 grading and that any program not meeting that standard could make span tables and other code provisions unusable.

Representative Vincent replied that sponsors had consulted CID and that the bill would meet PS 20 standards; he argued the effort was aimed at growing local supply and reducing costs tied to imported lumber and external graders.

The committee recorded a due pass for HB 553 after the hearing. The committee chair asked the secretary to record the members present as in favor of the due pass; the transcript does not supply a numeric roll call tally for that motion.

The bill includes specification language listing the data to be recorded by a local grader — grader name, sawmill name and location, species, grade and structural classification, intended use location, cut/processing dates and moisture content at grading — intended by sponsors to enable traceability within the state.

What’s next: The bill will move forward from the committee to the next stage of the legislative process.","The committee voted to advance House Bill 553, which would allow use of locally produced lumber, vigas and beams; supporters said it would boost local mills and help post‑fire rebuilding, while national standards groups warned the bill could undermine PS 20 grading traceability and liability safeguards.",{"_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},6632018,"Votes at a glance: committee advances consent items including athletic commission transfer and tip‑deduction ban",65,1058000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638&start=1058&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638/thumbnail_1058000.jpg","/articles/6632018/New-Mexico/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-advances-consent-items-including-athletic-commission-transfer-and-tipdeduction-ban","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632018-a9c8500d8143fd8eba0bb0e56528b2bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633398&Signature=jNoZrfDbn9jWonPzYOg6W8F~ejstje-pJOnjVf~fypkvrMsb~zpgYugjnzlJLjOTMZw9M4p1t-4hmHLPGVLYIpdC5Kko2uy3KRRHE5-4PrpGtLDhWdX-wvN9l2dBEOSSZjeVOBElRDT3IK18tZG7YxLk~n6v1PJYNt9~1jy6mrnL4DWn9y0H~7mshz-D2~n9NSJGbDtOmziQaFfC-CUzLYFRVz8WuBcWUpmi-Q80awOib2Ovrpi33UgF73qUi0d9LgwLyUw6Ua4oA7w5yLLT9KDXSW8-AZ0J2DNjX7-SLySIa6ZADFxX3FdOrc7YbYhg6L-H-5vNah0cXCbYVxKvKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate taxation committee cleared two consent calendar items and sent them to the floor.

House Bill 444 (committee substitute), transferring athletic commission authority, received committee approval and now heads to the floor; the transcript records a due pass with roll call notations shown as 10–0 and 9–0 for the committee substitutes. House Bill 22, prohibiting credit‑card fee deductions from employee tips, received a due pass recorded as 9–0 and now moves to the chamber floor.

These consent items were described by the chair as bills that had received unanimous or near‑unanimous support in prior consideration. The chair said the committee had processed dozens of House bills during the session and would meet again to address remaining items.","The committee moved two consent items to the floor: HB 444 (transfer of athletic commission authority) and HB 22 (prohibit credit card fee deductions from tips). Both received unanimous committee support per the transcript and will head to the chamber floor.",{"_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},6632023,"Committee unanimously advances bill aligning adjunct unemployment rules with federal reasonable‑assurance definition",157,1151000,1308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638&start=1151&end=1308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638/thumbnail_1151000.jpg","/articles/6632023/New-Mexico/Committee-unanimously-advances-bill-aligning-adjunct-unemployment-rules-with-federal-reasonableassurance-definition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632023-f6f61a36a7a319cc121846bdbfe5daa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633398&Signature=FzqVoy2EVM2HsLj0HIFw4BQxVr7Qg012wrfoZlBg~ER5pBXyESb1VRJE6uEFA8vmkD6tQoqgaaMe~mbu3Ypmp8r1e5Xdd3~zvIbHaGqCuy7gNKdkOEWLxHTdjeR23ile2P4hJM6jBV3lO8xNOGQbWIBKj0l1-1HoZmsyJ3JGH~GMKZ38uyeT7hcbgbunVN8ryPKzF7QqI7iN19ebkYDwjNUfhgaQbY9sqEh4OvgpM2Dya-~JCfLTyN2bBcp3uc~D8xPcZ1qQoRH2BHCje7sxIGiuSaXnNj7yYRWa0ubmRpWo7PqBbqpCv35zQ-Oek~rmhYz-9RlxxPOEMMfwIu3JsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee gave a unanimous do pass to House Bill 67, which would align New Mexico statute on unemployment benefits for adjunct instructors at higher‑education institutions with the federal definition of \"reasonable assurance.\"

The bill creates a five‑part eligibility test to determine reasonable assurance of reemployment for adjunct instructors. The presenter told the committee the change removes ambiguity in state statute and aligns state practice with federal guidance.

John Dirich of the American Federation of Teachers, New Mexico, testified in support and said the bill removes subjectivity and benefits institutions, employees and the Department of Workforce Solutions by providing a consistent set of criteria.

Final action: The committee recorded a do pass with a 10–0 roll call.

Next steps: The bill will proceed from committee to the floor.","HB 67 would align New Mexico law with the federal definition of \"reasonable assurance\" for adjunct instructors, creating a five‑part test for eligibility; the committee voted 10–0 to give the bill a do pass after supporters including the American Federation of Teachers testified.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6632027,"Senate panel advances bill to recruit health professionals with ‘‘concierge’’ outreach to alumni",446,1353000,1799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638&start=1353&end=1799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676081-f85e74263ced7de0157f751f3ef8d638/thumbnail_1353000.jpg","/articles/6632027/New-Mexico/Senate-panel-advances-bill-to-recruit-health-professionals-with-concierge-outreach-to-alumni","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632027-1fd5c774f44448643fded2fedf867f54/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633398&Signature=H91l2qEU~v9hqsWinb2g15UEpF0xXlBSAu4KFyAc4YmpEeP9VSj~C~PMIJEXzSRqmcR18FzCpSGm1~gQGQvQ2mHMRw~Slf9wHOAW4S7YVOR1TkQsBytPmPKmBaBxzHd5K-ReZzN-C7WdbsxNEk-6iEoTZiNktFAvIApnJrmCjiRmjfqj70vDbshTFaB0QpYQD2fqj~a8yQ~OZOikpaMfGb~YhCwgcyRoEEZa5OQ6MYGLn-GvtjFYe~xtUtUVqmVbOITGlvnCKt7BRjq99Ui8M7Cp8CL8eSH9YzVA~TEBc9GDV4v~mrXREOSCQslgctvbvJByCpCuRzHRRzzPWOfTEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate taxation committee voted to advance House Bill 15, a bill authorizing a pilotlike recruiting effort to bring graduates and licensed professionals into health‑care jobs in New Mexico.

Senator Duhigg presented the measure, saying the program would authorize the Department of Workforce Solutions to perform proactive outreach to graduates of New Mexico higher‑education institutions (graduates within the past 10 years who are not practicing medically in the state), help coordinate licensing transfers, housing and incentives, and otherwise reduce barriers to returning to New Mexico.

Supporters included university staff and health‑care providers. Nathan Bush of the University of New Mexico and Jason Weeks, a hospital association lobbyist, said the program would help recruit and retain clinicians. Dana Gray, executive director of Desert Clinics, and the League of Women Voters of New Mexico also testified in support.

Committee questions centered on measures of success, rural placement priorities and whether the work duplicates existing workforce efforts. Secretary Serena Nair of the Department of Workforce Solutions told the committee the program aligned with the department’s WIOA plan but would fund proactive outreach and data collection that the department currently lacks funding to perform.

The committee adopted the bill by a 5–4 roll call. Senator Figueroa moved the due pass; Senator Bergman seconded. Several senators asked for reporting metrics; sponsors said they expect to track lead measures (centralized incentives listing and alumni rosters) and lag measures such as placement percentages in rural areas.

Next steps: The bill will proceed to the chamber floor; sponsors said they will work with staff on reporting metrics and rural‑placement targets.","HB 15 would authorize the Department of Workforce Solutions to proactively contact recent graduates and assist with licensing, incentives and housing to recruit and retain health professionals in New Mexico. The committee approved the bill 5–4 after questions about success metrics and rural placement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances tax omnibus with EITC expansion and oil surtax after contentious hearing

Senate committee advances Timber Grading Act after mixed testimony on grading standards

Votes at a glance: committee advances consent items including athletic commission transfer and tip‑deduction ban

Committee unanimously advances bill aligning adjunct unemployment rules with federal reasonable‑assurance definition

Senate panel advances bill to recruit health professionals with ‘‘concierge’’ outreach to alumni