Rep. Christine Chandler

The House Taxation and Revenue committee has been hearing tax proposals for 48 days and, on Monday, it passed a bill that compiles around 20 of them into a comprehensive package. It includes a significant reduction of direct payments called for by the governor in order to make room for other reforms.

A revived voting rights bill that died during a filibuster last year is on its way to the House for a vote. House Bill 4 would allow New Mexicans to sign up to get ballots for every election via mail. It would create a system for automatic voter registration. It would also turn Election Day into a school holiday.

The expansion of the federal child tax credit in 2021 made a dent in how many U.S. children are living in poverty, but it ended after just one year. New Mexico, a state with the second highest child poverty rate in the country, quickly passed its own version of the tax relief for people with children last year. While parents won’t see the benefits of the state credit until they file taxes next year, lawmakers are already debating whether to increase it.

A bill would amend existing legislation to end the suspension of licenses for nonappearance in court or for nonpayment of fines and fees owed in traffic and criminal cases.

Legislation would require insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations – and waive cost sharing by patients – passed its first committee this week in the legislature.