House passes memorial recognizing farmers, ranchers and food initiatives 69-0

SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives on Jan. 29 passed House Memorial 1, a chamber-level memorial recognizing farmers, ranchers and statewide food initiatives, by a recorded vote of 69-0.

Representative Lundstrom, the memorial’s sponsor, asked unanimous consent and then moved final passage. After a period of floor debate in which lawmakers from both rural and urban districts praised agricultural producers and related programs, the House recorded 69 affirmative votes and zero negative votes. "House Memorial 1 has duly passed this house," the clerk announced following the vote.

Supporters framed the memorial as a celebration of the state’s agricultural economy and of programs that connect local producers with schools and communities. Representative Lundstrom said the action also coincided with Youth for Food Day and highlighted students and community educators who promote New Mexico-grown food in schools. Representative Lujan, who spoke during debate, said, "I stand in full support of the memorial and all the food initiatives that we have in our state." Representative Samora praised farmers and ranchers for the around-the-clock work of producing food and noted the farm economy's large contribution to the state.

Several members used the floor remarks to describe local agricultural assets and community programs. Representative Pettigrew and Representative Block described outdoor and tourism assets in rural districts and the role of mining and local economies in their home counties while connecting those assets to community quality of life. Representative Serrato urged attention to state food programs and to the needs of vulnerable New Mexicans who rely on nutrition and food-security services.

One member during debate raised potential on-the-ground impacts tied to wildlife management, noting concerns about predator effects on rural food producers; that speaker said they supported the memorial but urged the House to "really look at what happens in rural New Mexico when we do detrimental things" such as policies they said affect producers' ability to raise livestock. The memorial debate therefore included both general expressions of support and at least one policy-related caution from the floor.

House Memorial 1 is a nonbinding chamber memorial and does not change statute or appropriations. The record shows the motion to pass was made on the floor, accepted by unanimous consent, and the electronic/recorded vote was entered as 69-0. The House also recognized visiting students and program staff linked to the state’s school food and farm-to-school efforts during the same floor period.

Votes at a glance: House Memorial 1 — motion to pass moved by Representative Lundstrom; outcome: approved; recorded vote 69 yes, 0 no.

The House proceeded after the vote to further introductions and announcements on the morning’s calendar.