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Votes at a glance: Senate Finance committee approves property‑disposal thresholds, expands racketeering statute, and criminalizes swatting
Summary
The Senate Finance Committee passed three bills in committee sessions: an update to Board of Finance thresholds for property disposition, an expansion of racketeering offenses to include certain violent crimes and trafficking, and a new felony for swatting incidents.
The Senate Finance Committee recorded three committee decisions during the meeting session: adjustments to state thresholds for property disposition overseen by the Board of Finance, expansion of the state's racketeering statute, and a new felony for swatting.
Property‑disposition thresholds (committee substitute) — Passed as amended The committee approved a bill that updates longstanding monetary thresholds for Board of Finance review and approval of property dispositions. The changes raise multiple thresholds (for example, earlier referenced amounts moving from $5,000 to $30,000 for some real‑property dispositions) to reflect inflation since the 1980s and reduce administrative burden. The committee adopted an amendment to add community colleges to the entities covered by the thresholds. Roll call: committee reported a do‑pass as amended (9 affirmative, 0 negative on the final recorded tally).
RICO expansion (Senate Bill 70) — Passed The committee approved Senate Bill 70, which adds several crimes to the state's racketeering statute so prosecutors can target organized enterprises behind serial violent and trafficking offenses. The offenses added include criminal sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual conduct, dogfighting, bringing contraband into a place of imprisonment and human trafficking. Law enforcement witnesses and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber supported the expansion in testimony, saying it provides tools to pursue organizers rather than just low‑level offenders. Committee recorded a do‑pass (10 affirmative, 0 negative).
Swatting (Senate Bill 18) — Passed Senate Bill 18 makes swatting — calling in a false emergency to draw armed responders to an address — a fourth‑degree felony. Proponents said the measure responds to an increase in swatting incidents nationwide and protects potential victims and first responders. Committee recorded a do‑pass (10 affirmative, 0 negative).
What the votes mean: The committee approvals send the measures to the next stage of the legislative process but do not make them law. Roll calls and final recorded tallies were taken in committee and are summarized above. Where the committee adopted amendments, the committee version will be the vehicle that moves forward for further consideration.
