The Los Alamos County Council unanimously adopted its 2025 state legislative priorities on Jan. 7, after adding two amendments clarifying the county’s position on health‑care workforce barriers and on energy options.

Intergovernmental manager Danielle Duran presented the proposed priorities, which included behavioral health and medical professional availability, Climate Action Plan and resource‑protection measures, support for local education goals, paid family and medical leave, wildfire mitigation funding, and infrastructure and capital outlay requests tied to the Los Alamos regional economic initiative.

Council discussion focused on the top priority (access to behavioral health and medical professionals). Councilors said malpractice insurance costs and related liability issues are a major barrier to recruiting and retaining providers. Councilor Reedy proposed and the council agreed to add language so item (a) would read in part: supporting measures to improve behavioral health and availability of medical professionals, “including but not limited to interjurisdictional compacts and options for malpractice reform.” Councilors emphasized the council would track and evaluate specific bills as they are introduced.

Councilors also discussed energy and climate language. After debate about scope and avoiding the impression the county favored a single source, the council approved amended language that supports local and state climate action plans and resource protection initiatives and explicitly references renewable and low‑carbon options, including nuclear power, so the county can pursue legislative study and federal/state conversations.

Following the amendments, Councilor Reiger moved to adopt the priorities as amended. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous roll call. Councilors and staff noted the priorities give county leadership a framework for conversations with state and federal legislators during the 2025 session and at the county’s planned “day at the legislature.”

Direct quotes in this item come from the public transcript of the Jan. 7 meeting and are attributed to the speakers who spoke on the record.