NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
2011 Special Session: Update--September 20, 2011
Several driver's license bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives, all of which will be heard in the Labor and Judiciary Committees.
- Rep. Andy Nuñez (I-Hatch) introduced HB 18 that would repeal licenses for undocumented immigrants, but not revoke existing licenses.
- Speaker of the House Ben Luján (D-Santa Fe) introduced HB 22 basically mirroring the compromise bill that the Senate passed during the last legislative session. It would strengthen residency requirements, require more frequent renewals, and create additional penalties and deterrents for fraud.
- Representative Thomas Anderson (R-Bernalillo) introduced HB 26 creating a different license and licensing system for individuals without social security numbers.
Send an email here today to legislators asking them to support licenses for all drivers in New Mexico. Follow us on twitter or become a fan of Somos' Facebook page to stay updated on committee hearings or newly introduced legislation. We'll also post updates everyday during the session on www.somosunpueblounido.org/DLNews
Driver's License Fact Sheets:
Get the Facts on Drivers' Licenses
Senate Compromise Fact Sheet
Fraud Fact Sheet
2011 Regular Legislative Session: Update on March 19, 2011
Driver's License Repeal Bill Dies on Last Day of Legislative Session
Conference Committee Deadlocks on Compromise
In a David and Goliath showdown, the Governor, the Republican Party, and national nativist organizations failed to take drivers' licenses away from immigrant families in New Mexico. On the last day of the legislative session, a Conference Committee was set up to reach a compromise between vastly different House and Senate versions of House Bill 78 sponsored by Representative Andy Nuñez (I-Doña Ana) meant to deny immigrants without SSN's a license. The Conference Committee ultimately couldn't reach an agreement to send back to both chambers for a vote which means that the Governor's effort to repeal the 2003 immigrant driver's license law is dead for now.
This is huge victory for immigrants and allies in New Mexico. There are many heroes in the Legislature who despite intense political pressure, stood up against the hateful rhetoric surrounding this debate and supported the rights of immigrant families in New Mexico and public safety for all.
None of this could have been possible without the brave, bold and tireless work of Somos members, community and faith groups, and allies throughout New Mexico. Our Campaign Partners worked for six months organizing vigils, marches, lobbying activities, letter writing campaigns, phone banks and community meetings. A big GRACIAS to our partners: NM Conference of Bishops; Archdiocese of Santa Fe; ABQ Partnership for Community Action; ABQ Interfaith; St. Thomas Catholic Parish DL Defense Committee (Lovington); Portales DL Defense Committee; St. Mary's Church (Farmington); LULAC NM; Northwestern and Southeastern ENLACE; Colonias Development Council; Vecinos Unidos de Vado y Chaparral; Grupo Comunitario del Valle de Hatch; Interfaith Worker Justice NM; Mexican American Youth Association (Taos); Roswell Alliance for Peace and Justice; Border Network for Human Rights; Taskforce for Immigrant Advocacy Services; Women Intercultural Resource Center (Anthony); Center on Law and Poverty; and Somos Un Pueblo Unido's Worker's Committee.
The Campaign still isn't over, as the Governor has vowed to keep trying to repeal our DL law. For fact sheet clickhere. To see a quick recap of Senate debate on DL's on youtube, clickhere. For information about how to help Somos in this campaign call (505) 424-7832.
Other DL Bills....
- Rep. William Rehm (R-Bernalillo) introduced a bill to revoke current licenses and create a driver's permit (HB261). On February 10th the House Labor and Human Resource committee tabled this measure with a vote of 5 to 4 along party lines.
- Rep.David Chavez (R-Luna) also introduced a bill (HB 401) that would require MVD to verify legal status before issuing a license and that would create a "guest driver's permit" for undocumented immigrants. It died on Feb 19th in the House Consumer and Public Affairs after a five-hour hearing.
- Sen. John Ryan (R-Bernalillo) introduced bill SB 518 that would among other things, require to verify legal status before issuing drivers' licenses and would revoke drivers' licenses issued to applicants without a SSN. This bill was tabled on March 3rd in the Senate Public Affairs Committee.
OTHER IMMIGRANT RELATED BILLS:
SB321, sponsored by Senator Richard Martinez (D-Rio Arriba), would allow treatment instead of incarceration to first and second time non violent drug possession offenders. This bill passed both Houses and is now awaiting approval by the Governor. To weigh in, call her office at (505) 476-2200.
SB151, sponsored by Senator Timothy Keller (D-Bernalillo), would have prohibited first responders in emergency situations from inquiring about immigration status. It passed the Senate 25-11, but there wasn't enough time to get it through the House.
SB152, sponsored by Senator Richard Martinez (D-Rio Arriba), would have prohibited local and state law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. It passed the Senate Public Affairs and Judiciary Committees, but wasn't heard before the full Senate.
SB419, sponsored by Senator Eric Griego (D-Bernalillo), would prohibit law enforcement from inquiring into immigration status. It passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee, but was never heard in subsequent committees.