New Mexico Governor to Call Special Legislative Session to Address Federal Budget Cuts and Anti-Crime Bills

Strategic Insights -

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's chief general counsel, Holly Agajanian, informed lawmakers during a meeting of the interim legislative Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee this week that a special legislative session to address federal budget cuts is likely to occur in late August or early September. The session will also focus on anti-crime bills, including measures to ban immigration detention centers in the state. The governor's agenda for the special session will include dealing with the repercussions of the federal budget reconciliation bill, as well as increasing penalties for felons in possession of firearms, updating definitions of danger to self and others, and banning local governments from contracting with federal agencies to detain immigrants for civil violations.

Key Takeaways:

  • A special legislative session to address federal budget cuts and anti-crime bills is likely to occur in late August or early September, according to Holly Agajanian, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's chief general counsel.
  • The governor's agenda for the special session will include dealing with the repercussions of the federal budget reconciliation bill, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4.
  • The special session will also focus on anti-crime bills, including measures to ban immigration detention centers in the state, increase penalties for felons in possession of firearms, and update definitions of danger to self and others.
  • A bill to ban the presence of immigration facilities in the state of New Mexico is also expected to be on the call, according to Agajanian.
  • Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the proposed ban on immigration detention centers, with some, such as Rep. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, criticizing the proposal as "cheap political points" that will leave bipartisan juvenile justice reform efforts out in the cold.
  • The committee chair, Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, has expressed resistance to the proposal, suggesting that shutting down immigration detention facilities in New Mexico will only lead to the federal government sending detainees to other states, such as Texas or Alcatraz.

Statistics:

  • The federal budget reconciliation bill, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4.
  • There are two immigration detention facilities in New Mexico, the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral.
  • Rep. Christine Chandler, a Los Alamos Democrat, has co-sponsored a bill to ban immigration detention facilities in New Mexico.
  • The committee is planning to tour the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral at its next meeting at the end of August.

Sources:

  • A special legislative session to address federal budget cuts and anti-crime bills is likely to occur in late August or early September, according to Holly Agajanian, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's chief general counsel.
  • "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (July 4, 2022)
  • "House Bill 9" (2022)
  • Interview with Daniel J. Chacón, "New Mexico Governor to Call Special Legislative Session to Address Federal Budget Cuts and Anti-Crime Bills" (August 10, 2022)
  • Committee Meeting Minutes (August 10, 2022)