[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6315981,"mediaKeyId","2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e","parentId",2377901,"title","Committee approves pathway for certified equine dental technicians; Senators back due pass","audioSeconds",955,"startMs",5733000,"endMs",6688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e&start=5733&end=6688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e/thumbnail_5733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6315981/New-Mexico/Committee-approves-pathway-for-certified-equine-dental-technicians-Senators-back-due-pass","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315981-b7d7089c87a82a0fbd6247bd728c7f5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771062509&Signature=cd2D4l7QMWNcCHiZl756x6ircVh4xYDHyk3HWXizBbkMNIRw~wKe~N8b4a74cIxZRGvUR9BlWEY3yMIRoA~X2I-O3KtVFjvVzF80YO4f-JEnvGk9nghAH6jOGrhuPTErCRst04LBq5LBw42XuEOvO0RDNicWPQqCfF38kmRks0ZdN--xUYpfSfSoRuuTYsKFNBjyubebRR3LQIARPOTcPvH5gMkUjR2ptUWAa16cZAp5DVEVO9R7KxPpLygInQA7IAH6TtTGU2neyBGwRJr3epRkhYa085hFvdg~A9woMegM4kVNKfEILdjjrqTYZIXuWay7Aih~-ePr7epvOJx02w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Senate","date","2025-02-22T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate committee gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 412, which would create a statutory pathway allowing certified equine dental technicians to perform routine dental maintenance on horses when licensed, registered and operating under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Sponsor Senator Ezell said the bill addresses an emerging gap caused by a shortage of large-animal veterinarians and said licensed, certified technicians could increase access and animal-welfare outcomes. Wayne Needham, identified as president of the International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED), testified that IAED certification involves extensive training and experience. Needham told the committee the IAED requires hundreds of hours of training and hands-on case experience and 12 hours of continuing education annually; he said certification and state recognition in other major horse states allows practitioners to obtain liability insurance and work cooperatively with veterinarians.

Zachary Rhodes, identified online as an IAED-certified equine dentist, also testified in support and said technicians operate under prescriptions issued by veterinarians; committee testimony emphasized that sedation for routine floating is a standing sedation administered under veterinary prescription and that technicians generally work in direct communication with a supervising veterinarian.

Senators asked technical questions about sedation, monitoring and worst-case outcomes; witnesses said the procedures use standing sedation, the animals remain monitored and a supervising veterinarian is available for complications. Supporters argued legalization improves animal welfare, expands access in underserved rural areas and addresses workforce shortages in large-animal veterinary care.

Senator Townsend moved and Senator Charlie seconded a do-pass recommendation; the committee returned a unanimous do-pass and will consider text and possible amendments as the bill proceeds.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Conservation - Feb 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 412 would allow licensed and registered certified equine dental technicians to provide routine equine dental maintenance in New Mexico under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and a certification pathway; the committee returned a unanimous do-pass recommendation.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",78419,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315985,"Committee tables bill seeking limits on civil penalties under Air Quality Control Act after heated debate",2604,3118000,5722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e&start=3118&end=5722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e/thumbnail_3118000.jpg","/articles/6315985/New-Mexico/Committee-tables-bill-seeking-limits-on-civil-penalties-under-Air-Quality-Control-Act-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315985-c93194068d7d8ec28e62c46eded5c7af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771062509&Signature=Y02qm6fQMZCcUUsGZxoQB5VL4qeChqpgjhADtX7Oo1mh7AkjGLpYrvg~JZZAyceUviAgnlVdAt1DeGSLROU7EFgcBUJqXwEMJsm5ZlZamuuYRL1ODblf2PgU4njR4dGX0EYN23MvJEukyvKcbikYrjYhfkc9A3-Ed4GqNmWx40JsSDm0NZcnsodZ~U13qkCLtu5iXIsq7v7MFO3wykO5-oRyemrjfYeWqfW7cqQJSbH30OThsCtuAHodOfXFxoIWp~xa7Y9bzDOb5PQRquh8dLW1in9usQhDahvnUOmrXr1dIFxOoeqUB8ukGDd3z58B83ArfpQbdUJKD4pBXNOGkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Tuesday tabled Senate Bill 391, which proposed changes to civil-penalty assessments under the Air Quality Control Act. The bill’s sponsor said the measure would require regulators to consider whether an emitter self-reported, took remedial actions, or experienced a mechanical mishap before assessing civil penalties and would prohibit setting penalties based on a permittee’s ability to pay.

Opponents, including committee members who reviewed the committee analysis and federal requirements, warned the changes could conflict with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements tied to a state implementation plan (SIP) and risk federal funding if the state’s SIP were found less stringent. Senator Zedillo Lopez said EPA guidance already allows consideration of ability to pay and that codifying a prohibition could expose the state to federal consequences. She also warned the bill’s mitigation language could lead to litigation about what constitutes appropriate mitigation.

Sponsor testimony and supporters argued the bill rewards companies that self-report and cooperate with remediation, rather than punishing good-faith efforts to clean up environmental problems. Senator Townsend cited a case in which a company that acquired another company identified problems during a voluntary audit, spent large sums to remedy them under agency direction and later received a substantial fine; the sponsor framed the bill as encouraging self-reporting and cooperation.

Multiple senators raised technical and policy concerns about the bill’s language, including how to define “appropriate action,” how to reconcile the measure with EPA requirements and whether the bill would undermine enforcement against bad actors. The Environment Department was not present to testify; the committee chair said the department reported it was in litigation on the matter and declined to testify to avoid ex parte communication.

Senator Cervantes moved to table the bill; the committee voted to table it. Committee roll-call indicated the tabling motion passed (committee announced the bill was tabled).","Senate Bill 391, which would bar assessment of civil penalties based on ability to pay and provide protections for self‑reporting or mishaps, drew criticism over possible conflicts with EPA state implementation plans and was tabled after a committee vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315990,"Committee advances microgrid tax credit aimed at underserved communities; bill wins unanimous committee support",1591,1497000,3088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e&start=1497&end=3088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e/thumbnail_1497000.jpg","/articles/6315990/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-microgrid-tax-credit-aimed-at-underserved-communities-bill-wins-unanimous-committee-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315990-c912b19b585caddc6df10056af152a38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771062509&Signature=gfQfPkYie7LPHvf0QUjWdiCB1MuycMqLjbhJZRqxGW4M25ZzR866l0iTslfblH5bCqAwnf-OOf9MkvcDdgIGCkB8qrXaBPP0Hq1OE4TmbtR4hh3uTLWyTnKtWya7VpuNbvPYurmnLvQQVAbn8kGgLLBNCvrEguIU7BxVPEKFO7Nj~kMKl5E0B6aNgFoKSOjs30Cb-F4wfPm5qTvGHE0t-Py00AxhCEh1bJBuW-43oKtBPODD-vSya-ovs0UUsPOfOdlID9vmCalFq4UJw1p6RJxo-uMRQzmhWzzXzFl6hg3cW2~F4HstSHPrZ8f-JcdI9wxcZTpS9Kh2cE3FLzKyFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee advanced Senate Bill 418, which would establish a qualified microgrid tax credit designed to spur construction of microgrids and associated generation in underserved communities across New Mexico.

Sponsor Senator Michael Padilla told the committee the credit would be $100,000 per microgrid, claimable by eligible taxpayers through the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) within 12 months following the taxable year of installation. The bill includes transferability and carry-forward provisions; eligibility excludes taxpayers who previously received a similar credit, the sponsor said.

Jennifer Bradfield, introduced as an energy attorney working with projects that would use solar-powered microgrids for economic development, said developers see microgrids as a way to bring digital infrastructure, manufacturing and data centers to parts of the state that currently lack reliable utility connections. Mike D’Antonio of Xcel Energy said the provision could allow large projects to get power sooner without taking capacity from local residential customers; Charles Goodmacher, a registered lobbyist, said business groups supporting electrification back the measure.

The bill sets a 20-megawatt floor in language describing eligible self‑generation resources and uses the Energy Transition Act (ETA) as the overriding standard for energy generation of this nature, the sponsor said; committee testimony repeatedly referenced compliance with the ETA and that microgrids would be subject to existing ETA rules.

Committee members asked about the bill’s likely uses (large subdivisions, data centers, manufacturing sites), the definition of “underserved community” (based on median income near the federal poverty level), and whether projects receiving the credit could also obtain industrial-revenue bonds (the sponsor said they could). Members raised questions about the bill’s effect on Public Regulation Commission (PRC) rate-setting authority; the sponsor and experts said project rates would be set through negotiated electric service agreements rather than through the PRC.

After discussion, Senator Hamblin moved a do-pass recommendation and Senator Sadia Lopez seconded. The committee returned a unanimous do-pass and sent the bill forward.

What happens next: the bill proceeds to the next committee or the Senate floor for further review and potential amendment.

","Senate Bill 418 would create a $100,000 refundable/transferable tax credit per qualified microgrid, administered by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, to incentivize microgrids and generation in underserved New Mexico communities. The committee returned a unanimous do-pass recommendation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315994,"Senate committee approves $100,000 to plan Rio Hondo watershed district in Taos County",6710,40000,6750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e&start=40&end=6750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377901-b65d8820e73cb88afcaf01ff8b24853e/thumbnail_40000.jpg","/articles/6315994/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-approves-100000-to-plan-Rio-Hondo-watershed-district-in-Taos-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315994-05e2cfc08e68253d17d4f09f70404c15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771062509&Signature=naz99E61MXNtql3yEAelkfS4V6vAKPT~akzfj3ihnD9ABjE9vSHoJlIrzhlDBrxwHkYtGulybcU~HkQgLumzLOWh8zruHHwCN0CB7qyHHW7AC3mmQWETvL-FlYjNhhiwsPOP13b2V2WNMzL420J~9SnRnb1sQQd29EgKbojYwowxlMNEunecycEZMBcZKLCkCQETkYXnkZvcmslWJhuEDxw3oQjtvmmkioLlvoqEKZM5T6DoX5jz0s8P14HR4Nsh6xD1SmSArH-EtvW0zAJkWp7MpUgdu4-i6F~k9AhjAk1DACfcOa2YMQKw8GA7c7tEh3iKbqxxC5b3jPYSU-FnNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee on Tuesday recommended a do-pass for Senate Bill 384, which would appropriate $100,000 to New Mexico State University via the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to plan, develop and create the Rio Hondo Watershed District in Taos County.

Supporters told the committee the watershed district would create a governance framework crossing traditional jurisdictional lines so local landowners, acequia users and communities can address water quantity, water quality and erosion together. Committee members unanimously approved an amendment inserting “in Taos County” into the bill and then advanced the bill by an 8-0 voice vote.

The bill sponsor said the Rio Hondo serves roughly 2,000 residents across small, rural communities and supports nearly 284 households; proponents noted the watershed supports agriculture, domestic wells, four local domestic water systems and many acequias used for irrigation. Carlos Miera, a commissioner with the Dismontas Ditch Association and an acequia owner in the Rio Hondo area, told the committee residents rely on the river for livestock and domestic use and that the watershed coalition has been working for two years to develop a watershed management plan and perform water-quality testing with New Mexico State University’s Water Resources Institute.

Floyd Archuleta, identified as past president of the Los Muentes Neighborhood Association, described roughly 1,400 irrigated acres in his area and urged funding to maintain water testing and planning. A representative identified online as “Zia Ideas” said the Rio Hondo feeds the Rio Grande tributary and is used for recreation and orchards, noting the bill “allows us to measure” and therefore protect water quality.

Committee members asked whether the proposed district’s acreage and irrigation rights were adjudicated; Miera said the Abeyta adjudication process is underway and a water-sharing agreement is pending settlement. He said the United States Forest Service, the Taos Ski Valley, Taos Pueblo and other local partners have participated in the coalition’s work and that New Mexico State University is being used as the fiscal and contracting channel for the planning money because of earlier work with the university’s Water Resources Institute.

Senator Sedia Lopez offered an amendment to add “in Taos County” to the statutory language. Committee members agreed that clarification should be in the body of the bill as well as the title, and the amendment was adopted. Senator Townsend moved the bill to pass as amended; the committee returned a do-pass recommendation by an 8-0 vote.

What happens next: the bill now moves to the next committee or the full Senate for further consideration if approved on the floor.

Votes at a glance: Amendment to insert “in Taos County” — adopted (motion/second recorded in committee). Final committee recommendation — do pass, 8-0.

","The Senate committee voted 8-0 to give Senate Bill 384 a “do pass” recommendation after adopting an amendment that confines the proposed Rio Hondo Watershed District to Taos County and directs $100,000 to New Mexico State University via the state Department of Agriculture to plan and develop the district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves pathway for certified equine dental technicians; Senators back due pass

Committee tables bill seeking limits on civil penalties under Air Quality Control Act after heated debate

Committee advances microgrid tax credit aimed at underserved communities; bill wins unanimous committee support

Senate committee approves $100,000 to plan Rio Hondo watershed district in Taos County