Matthew McQueen

During the past legislative session, there were a number of efforts to change how the political body works. Those included bills to pay members of the only unpaid legislature in the country and altering the length of the annual sessions. But only one passed – House Joint Resolution 2, which would require New Mexico governors to give reasons behind a pocket veto.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham “partially” vetoed a bill on Thursday aiming to bring sweeping reform to the Department of Game and Fish – the state’s premier wildlife conservation agency.

A bill that would fundamentally change wildlife management in New Mexico is now one step closer to becoming law after passing the House floor Wednesday.

The core of the law aims to put the money into people’s hands to “fire-proof” their homes. But some lawmakers worried it may violate New Mexico’s constitution.

Lawmakers have rolled together six bills related to crime and rehabilitations into one package. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted for it, while Republicans opposed it.

Lawmakers are trying to get more information when bills that reach the governor’s desk in the final days of the legislative session don’t get signed into law.

The New Mexico legislative session alternates each year between 30 and 60 days. On Wednesday a joint resolution to change that to 45 days each year passed its first committee.

A package of bills will look to drastically change how the department is funded and regulated in the upcoming 60-day session in January.

Ken Brennan, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Matthew McQueen, a Democrat, in House District 50

Lawmakers are challenging current rules of the Legislature with a resolution that would require Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to provide an explanation to all bills that are “pocket vetoed.”