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Committee advances bipartisan parole-board update bill aimed at evidence-based process
Summary
Senate Bill 17 would revise statute governing the adult parole board to align practices with evidence-based decision-making, authorize per-diem payments, clarify removal procedures, and add scheduling protections for victims; the committee reported the bill as amended.
The committee advanced Senate Bill 17, a bipartisan measure to update the statutory framework for the New Mexico Adult Parole Board with provisions intended to improve consistency, victim protections and alignment with evidence-based practices.
Representative Chavez presented the bill as a modernization effort that "fosters a criminal justice environment that upholds fairness and consistency in parole-related practices." The sponsor said the changes include an express authorization for per-diem reimbursement to board members, clarified removal processes with protective guardrails to preserve independence, and a scheduling provision to avoid holding hearings on the anniversary (often the date of death) of a homicide victim — language proponents said eases a special burden on victims’ families.
Stakeholders who testified included the ACLU, the Public Defender’s Office and victim advocates. Vicki Lee Chavez of the public defender’s office testified in support, saying the measure reflects a balanced approach for people seeking discretionary parole and for victims. An online speaker described cases of people who had served decades in prison and urged parole decisions to incorporate risk and readiness as important factors.
Parole Board Chair Abraham Anaya joined remotely and offered to answer technical questions; policy witnesses said the bill benefited from an interim stakeholder process and had received multiple unanimous committee endorsements in prior steps.
Representative Hall moved a due pass recommendation on Senate Bill 17 as amended; the committee chair announced a due pass on the amended bill. The transcript records the committee's do-pass action; a full numeric roll-call tally was recorded but is not reproduced in the excerpted transcript used here.
