[{"_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",6567511,"mediaKeyId","3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2","parentId",3298394,"title","State Rep. Christine Chandler reviews 2025 session, highlights behavioral health and family leave efforts","audioSeconds",766,"startMs",1216000,"endMs",1982000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2&start=1216&end=1982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567511/New-Mexico/State-Rep-Christine-Chandler-reviews-2025-session-highlights-behavioral-health-and-family-leave-efforts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567511-bebefb75b0626f80dc4e15e43a79b535/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739657&Signature=EQxoINBLrPpO2MGHHd4~0RZ3KjY3O-fkl28UAuyUg1r-OclIbGeuB11RV1mPwx~ffvsL2Ok9~W9b3wIs0M~JrgjeOZh6HDRrJfLTwROQ1IfEn0Ajp40st50Zl~wMW~0PCIxT3gs5VE2pdaUDn0W~VIaICBm1iRe2WaSXOXsCuXaCcpv~7m-krsYgt8xwnPcoQlFvbMwlRzrp~MhkSGjyXlQa~dyx4AtAkdf0MBfbeO2luXcW89xVyfPl1EUhzemDC9sUN~3Exy3jJ4TIOSTIHSE244iTNkRjecUgcDTPT-RdNROGUmycFbJjjg4YWgA8GhaWcyqKIZ9ZVV6VmxQ-iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Alamos County","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Christine Chandler on Tuesday summarized the 2025 New Mexico legislative session for the Los Alamos County Council, citing major actions on criminal competency, a newly funded behavioral health trust, and work on a paid family medical leave proposal that cleared the House but stalled in the Senate.

Chandler, who serves as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, told councilors she and colleagues changed state law to expand outpatient restoration and assisted outpatient treatment options for people found incompetent to stand trial on low‑level offenses, and said the Legislature budgeted “over a hundred million dollars” this year for behavioral health services and to begin regional facilities.

The changes aim to divert low‑level defendants into treatment rather than dismissing cases and leaving people disconnected from services, Chandler said. “We also allowed for what we call restoration…on an outpatient basis that did not exist before,” she said.

Chandler said the paid family medical leave bill she co‑sponsored in the House was narrowed to address business concerns — shortening medical leave from 12 to six weeks, lowering the premium, and creating a state‑funded per‑family stipend of $3,000 per month for 12 weeks for new parents or adoptive families — but the measure stalled in the Senate Finance Committee.

She discussed several other items of interest to local officials: a bipartisan working group to monitor possible federal funding cuts that could force a state special session; proposed constitutional amendments to lengthen legislative sessions and address compensation for legislators; and work on nuclear‑energy policy. Chandler also reported progress and challenges on open records (IPRA) proposals and on privacy and algorithmic bias legislation related to artificial intelligence, which she said faced strong industry opposition.

Councilors asked about the prospect of a special session to respond to federal Medicaid changes and about a potential constitutional amendment to allow 60‑day sessions. Chandler said a special session was possible but premature while the federal budget picture remained unclear, and that extending session length will require addressing legislative compensation as part of any constitutional change.

Why it matters: Chandler’s briefing highlighted state actions and funding decisions — notably the behavioral health funding and changes to competency law — that will affect county services, courts and provider networks, and flagged potential federal funding risks that could require state and local adjustments.

Representative Christine Chandler (chair, House Judiciary Committee) was the primary speaker for this topic. Councilors who asked questions included Councilor Reedy, Councilor Wrighty and Councilor Hammond.

Looking ahead, Chandler said she will continue to press privacy/AI, paid family leave and behavioral health implementation in the coming sessions and monitor federal budget developments that could prompt supplemental legislative action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Los Alamos County - County Council - Work Session on 2025-05-13 6:00 PM - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Christine Chandler on Tuesday summarized the 2025 New Mexico legislative session for the Los Alamos County Council, citing major actions on criminal competency, a newly funded behavioral health trust, and work on a paid family medical leave proposal that cleared the House but stalled in the Senate.","taxTitle","Los Alamos, New Mexico","taxId",51137,"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},6567497,"County staff report on ‘Quality of Life’ strategic goal: health plan, ADA work and transit highlights",1448,6069000,7517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2&start=6069&end=7517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2/thumbnail_6069000.jpg","/articles/6567497/New-Mexico/County-staff-report-on-Quality-of-Life-strategic-goal-health-plan-ADA-work-and-transit-highlights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567497-a2545fa5184053de7d8b393756456c52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739657&Signature=SO1E~I1Cu9JUwmLDXRKfoEW~dwxice4C60bUd7PloBXsihYGlBMshJwtwpQm3pblIdNFGc3~Zr~KsOOOCdQdN6u~q3OR797h7EvBycoC8uwqxK1gc3-GZuwOxwFwulk0a-1CNguCNj2eJ7Mw51J~8No9M94JsQ2F99iNUZj65Ev1tEtnQ4sutXH7UEJzv7At~UsMD1ebQHJOgRHOWKjCExQXy~diD97253MIGCb6jn8qpPooPdkJi9zJ7mUNc8hDgqr5Jr4oUftali0TzyIu5HTM~17E5KKOsHvjuMm32ruDTOm3y~nsqD4dY4edbC5f3EmyZM55QRbg-wv7jhLjKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented the first in a series of strategic‑goal updates on Tuesday, reporting progress on the Quality of Life goal across health, inclusion, mobility, open space and public safety objectives.

Ms. Madison (staff) reported that the county’s comprehensive health plan, adopted in December 2024, was published on the county website in April and will guide health, wellness and social services for the next five to seven years. Staff are training providers on a closed‑loop referral system to connect residents to services and have started a train‑the‑trainer forest therapy program after receiving 21 applicants.

On inclusion and accessibility, staff said the Citizen Inclusivity Task Force expanded to nine members, is fully staffed and will present an interim report in June. The county is advancing ADA improvements at playgrounds, courts and other facilities and expects to spend approximately $2 million on ADA work identified in current plans.

Mobility updates included completion of Urban Trail phases 2 and 3 and continued service by Atomic City Transit (ACT). Staff noted summer seasonal shuttle service between the Fry Trail Head parking lot and Bandelier National Monument will run mid‑May through mid‑October; Bandelier requested a modified seasonal route to reflect its staffing constraints.

Parks and Recreation received national accreditation; staff are carrying out a three‑year field renovation schedule and an artificial‑turf study. Fire and emergency management reported meeting response‑time goals and held a tabletop exercise to test event response plans.

Why it matters: These operational updates show how the county is moving from strategy to implementation in health, accessibility, transportation and emergency preparedness — areas that affect resident daily life and county service delivery.

Speakers and staff mentioned in the briefing included Ms. Madison (presenter), Jessica Stronger (Social Services Manager), Community Services Director Stein, County Manager Andrew Laurent, and Councilors who asked questions including Councilor Reedy and Chair Cole.","County staff presented progress on the Quality of Life strategic goal, including a recently published comprehensive health plan, ongoing behavioral‑health referrals and a social services action‑center planning effort; updates also covered ADA facility improvements, trail completions, transit ridership and parks and recreation accreditation.",{"_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},6567502,"Council working group outlines targeted LEHI approach to reduce downtown vacancies",1608,4451000,6059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2&start=4451&end=6059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2/thumbnail_4451000.jpg","/articles/6567502/New-Mexico/Council-working-group-outlines-targeted-LEHI-approach-to-reduce-downtown-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567502-177835043b56db717487a5499649dfd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739657&Signature=dPWBBvVSnyq0cOzgbVksMqcnDpz7d7zC7G-cFzAeU54KAhiLu8d3xHxsRSUJTiEsoGI5-VEM7U2pzE-HWudltKdHB9azIiz3GrEvf~saGXShjHePFPhWEj0y83rwRmYGv59PxpeTUA6FIMs6vcC8IMPpmZfVULtZ7-MtsRB-qvYgaTZ0aKgBVw6aIq3INlOkjsjzomgaDOnL9RxHavzBCclxwxkKPC02UcrgiqMYs6~Hv2kiC~mbergs4MeO-fIGProuVg7QR4kKiRsSe1fHahlzjoK9h2vcFFj3jMZ8x7nIAYnXEXczjFVbwnr~whmWEm3tv7JBp5-FEdRqbE9uCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Los Alamos County council members on Tuesday reviewed a draft plan from a small‑business engagement working group that would use the county’s LEHI authority to target funding and technical assistance at underutilized retail and mixed‑use properties.

Councilor Rady, who led the working group, said members and other local stakeholders have talked with property owners, the Los Alamos Community Development Corporation (LA CDC) and the local business coalition to shape a program that prioritizes renovations that bring properties up to current code and improve long‑term viability. The goal is to reduce commercial vacancies and accelerate projects that are currently stalled by complex LEHI application requirements.

Councilor Regard (presenting the detailed proposal) described a multi‑step process: a short pre‑proposal, a pre‑application meeting with staff to identify code and accessibility deficiencies and a gap analysis to establish the financing shortfall. Because many small tenants and landlords cannot meet LEHI security requirements, the plan envisions a vetted third‑party nonprofit or similar organization to provide required security guarantees, with meaningful private “skin in the game” from property owners or tenants.

Council staff said funding approved in the upcoming fiscal year would be available starting July 1 and recommended developing the collateral pieces—third‑party security arrangements and access to design professionals—before launching a call for proposals. County Manager Andrew Laurent told councilors staff has budgeted funds and would work with LA CDC to identify architects and engineers to assist applicants.

A coalition representative, Alan Signs, offered public comment saying the group appreciated the initiative and urged more stakeholder input as the plan is refined.

Why it matters: The proposal attempts to make LEHI funding accessible to small businesses and property owners by reducing procedural bottlenecks and supplying technical and security support, which could speed renovations and bring vacant storefronts back into productive use.

Speakers who participated in the discussion included Councilor Rady (working group lead), Councilor Regard (proposal author/presenter), Councilor Hand, Manager Andrew Laurent and public commenter Alan Signs.","A council small‑business working group proposed a focused Local Economic/Housing Incentive (LEHI) program to help renovate underused storefronts, address code deficiencies and reduce vacancies; the plan calls for a streamlined call for proposals, third‑party security arrangements and early staff engagement to avoid lengthy application loops.",{"_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},6567506,"Transportation Board chair reviews 2024 projects and priorities, urges earlier public engagement",421,3934000,4355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2&start=3934&end=4355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298394-fdbc218bfca1118818cbaa3cee0c31a2/thumbnail_3934000.jpg","/articles/6567506/New-Mexico/Transportation-Board-chair-reviews-2024-projects-and-priorities-urges-earlier-public-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567506-048fe29b626821441af3519e4589bef8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739657&Signature=F5JTBIGfPps7uMvt5Hm-R9aFjxWoPSgOnt-Oi~fIWKlgNw3J7hWPWhbb6AK6J4ABK5Mgha8CCKaWqOxbB04mC8Ag47bu0v5i6rZVYv1m8g4n3Cj175oWX8tox~Co88g1mP6nP932bGVtARtSP1qGCHQQVF08eEYOZE-eyV96~ZscJuQcHYKBAApN0Z-V3mEUnh05w76LoJar1v62KHc3o9jJGkllVSxvOMhIxpadtLeJTBfBn6QCN5lZPNnGUTI6WQIUseltoULpVIbpW-ET7y4BZaGU5KWcCMg0Ywv7W8pjjgDWyw8lSjssfAnaro5svjo82MrogQYrxAPTqTLDmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Hampton, chair of the Los Alamos County Transportation Board, presented the board’s 2024 accomplishments and priorities at the council work session, highlighting active projects, completed trail segments and recommendations to improve public engagement.

Hampton said the board reviewed the Bathtub Row reconstruction, Denver Street Phase 2, DP Road improvements, and participated in a Grand Canyon Drive intersection analysis. He noted the board approved the 2025 Snow and Ice Control Plan and took part in transit planning including evaluation of potential transit center sites in Los Alamos and White Rock and updates to paratransit policy.

“Whenever they come to Transportation Board earlier and engage the public earlier,” Hampton said, “it's more useful.” He recommended that final plans be returned to the board for endorsement before they go to council.

Councilor Wrighty asked about low response rates to a pedestrian master‑plan survey and how to increase inclusive engagement. Hampton suggested working with the LA Walks group as a less daunting entry point for public input and noted the Transportation Board can help solicit comments at earlier stages.

Why it matters: The board’s work shapes local roadway, trail and transit projects; Hampton’s emphasis on earlier public engagement and pre‑council endorsement aims to reduce revisions and speed implementation.

Speakers from the meeting who discussed this item included David Hampton (Transportation Board chair), Councilor Wrighty (council liaison questions) and Councilor Hand (board liaison).","David Hampton, chair of the Los Alamos County Transportation Board, briefed council on last year's projects — Bathtub Row reconstruction, Urban Trail phases 2–3, transit evaluations and snow/ice plan — and recommended earlier public engagement and returning final plans to the board for endorsement before council review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State Rep. Christine Chandler reviews 2025 session, highlights behavioral health and family leave efforts

County staff report on ‘Quality of Life’ strategic goal: health plan, ADA work and transit highlights

Council working group outlines targeted LEHI approach to reduce downtown vacancies

Transportation Board chair reviews 2024 projects and priorities, urges earlier public engagement