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Senate committee adds violent offenses to racketeering statute; panel approves do-pass
Summary
The committee voted to expand New Mexico’s racketeering law to cover organized crimes that prosecutors said are commonly linked to larger enterprises, including human trafficking, dogfighting and other violent offenses; the bill received a unanimous do-pass in committee after limited amendment.
The committee considered a judiciary substitute for Senate Bill 70 to expand the state’s racketeering statute. Testifying supporters including law enforcement and local civic groups urged expansion so prosecutors could use RICO-style tools against organized criminal enterprises that commit violent and commercial crimes. Deputy Chief Dale Wagner of the New Mexico State Police testified: "Expanding New Mexico's racketeering statute would significantly enhance the state's ability to combat organized criminal activity."
The committee adopted and then reconsidered a technical amendment regarding cockfighting; senators debated whether cockfighting was already charged as a felony in some circumstances. After roll-call voting the panel recorded a do-pass recommendation; the committee clerk recorded a unanimous committee do-pass on the substitute (10–0). No floor vote was recorded in the hearing transcript.
Ending: The committee forwarded the expanded racketeering measure to the next step with unanimous support; sponsors said the bill gives prosecutors tools to target high-level organizers behind violent and trafficking crimes rather than focusing solely on low-level actors.
