[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6290141,"mediaKeyId","2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962","parentId",2531550,"title","Committee clears House Bill 143 to track lobbyist activity after contentious debate and amendment","audioSeconds",2826,"startMs",3239000,"endMs",6065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962&start=3239&end=6065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962/thumbnail_3239000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6290141/New-Mexico/Committee-clears-House-Bill-143-to-track-lobbyist-activity-after-contentious-debate-and-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290141-0a218467044dc877145980ab3c9f0070/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032759&Signature=hHruEGstvghxaq0X~cNYfSa94L-bUfUmyw4EF~0ZU6FZP96OzTk0TUqIOC6n7uF0sxinVT9W8nD-2Xwrlp8F0JHeynuFerHVmbzgazO1D0gzu12~~nF9Mr1wHFeevvpEgZplnl1YZdC-h7QhOo-1roLd~ErDM-Z0OwRkIw7BbTTL3YGpzNnn9BWghHmcbKvf20QnZv9tDSD2-6LR~sSSFpYuMAbVZnrz2NYyPawv6~upj9nxQ9nyu7XDF6WTZdE0KaBTAXudkE4BPcMYaJz67DD9hGQhXUgXGyOYTIXfBt4neNw9m1UGrVkCaeSLXHBPoADziOdlQQUPztH75d7vPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","A state Senate committee voted to recommend House Bill 143, a lobbyist‑transparency measure, after lengthy debate and an amendment that removed a controversial House floor provision. Supporters said the bill will give legislators and the public a clearer picture of who is influencing legislation; critics raised privacy concerns for small employers and warned about procedural effects.

Representative (house sponsor) told the committee House Bill 143 would “modernize our state's lobbying reporting system” by requiring registered lobbyists to file an activity report that names their employer and states whether the lobbyist is supporting, opposing or monitoring particular legislation. The proposal requires lobbyists to update that activity report within 48 hours when their position changes; reports will be posted online and to Legislative Council Services' public pages. The bill’s effective date was set for Jan. 1, 2027, to allow agencies time to build reporting systems.

The League of Women Voters (Hannah Burling) and the State Ethics Commission (Amelia Beierleit) testified in support, saying the disclosures would strengthen public oversight without restricting legitimate lobbying. “The disclosures proposed in House Bill 143 are reasonable and necessary to promote accountability while respecting the important contributions lobbyists make,” the State Ethics Commission said.

Committee debate focused on two fault lines: (1) whether the state should require lobbyists to identify employer positions (some committee members warned that listing small businesses’ political positions could chill participation), and (2) a House floor amendment that had language interpreted by some members as imposing a $50 cap on lobbyist‑paid expenses during session. The committee first voted not to adopt an initial set of conflicting changes tied to a different bill (Senate Bill 248 language) and later voted to strike the House floor amendment after members sought clarity on its drafting and effect.

Senator Block and others said they were concerned the bill would require disclosure that could expose small businesses or discourage them from hiring representation. Representative sponsor and Senator Steinborn said the intent is to shed light on who is shaping bills and to “look at the lifespan of a bill,” and noted the bill applies only to compensated lobbyists as defined in statute.

Procedurally, the committee adopted an amendment that removed the House floor amendment. A final motion to give House Bill 143 a “due pass as amended” passed on roll call with six in favor and the recorded votes: Senator Bergman — Yes; Senator Block — Nay; Senator Stefanik — Yes; Senator Stewart — Yes; Senator Jaramillo — Yes; Senator Duhigg — Yes; Senator Townsend — No; and others recorded as excused or absent. The committee chair recorded that the bill received a due pass as amended.

The bill directs the Secretary of State to post lobbyist activity reports online and to coordinate posting with Legislative Council Services. It also includes the requirement that the reporting system be implemented with online filing and delayed implementation until Jan. 1, 2027, to give agencies time to build the system. Supporters said the measure is aimed at improving transparency, while critics urged further protections for small employers and clearer definitions for multi‑member organizations and changing lobbying positions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - Rules Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee voted to give House Bill 143 a due pass as amended, approving a requirement that registered lobbyists file an activity report naming employers and positions on bills with 48‑hour updates; members debated privacy, enforcement, and an earlier House floor amendment that was removed.","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},6290146,"Senate committee advances Melanie Kenderdine for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources secretary",1802,1378000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962&start=1378&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962/thumbnail_1378000.jpg","/articles/6290146/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-advances-Melanie-Kenderdine-for-Energy-Minerals-and-Natural-Resources-secretary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290146-5a70bad89c2cafccf2ead564a7ff8f7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032759&Signature=COXJTdOYJHyH7Nvo82psiDmuht3Eoju9MFPB81U5XXC6Vogu-sdv0rMFOORVuJ~7KJrVbwslyiihA2Vz2u5781dpFxhvrKf8QehM0Eubh0bVgK4loZZNCvAlC71sA7Rsw4uUbBddpg~Pz6EYV-dEJhYWACnYRyRaBDifEiLevxcF20lWIU-eR7Q2N7vEz5m2fzrZQm4XZluAveNdq0ocj5KkdMyuUeiKcJ2BXaeHUH8sTm-Jq-1jQhIUMtYuljolcGH0GqFo9VpQQtWKgV4q2Gd2KioUC0W-~X8OXdPbU2UUEWOMlreXbv3QTlQmXIVjiOyLFJj5YS6qpMqPJ1aoOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A state Senate committee voted to advance Melanie Kenderdine’s nomination to be secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to the full Senate, sponsors said, after hearing about her federal energy experience and the department’s recent program work.

Senator Stewart, the sponsor, told committee members that Kenderdine has served as the EMNRD secretary‑designate since the prior May and has overseen programs including a “Solar for All” initiative and the creation of two new hotshot firefighting crews. “She has already developed a substantial track record in this capacity,” Stewart said.

Kenderdine told the committee she grew up in New Mexico and described a long career spanning the Department of Energy in the Clinton and Obama administrations, leadership at the MIT Energy Initiative, and work on national energy policy. “I look forward to opportunities for working with our native peoples and putting our innovation infrastructure to work for the clean energy transition,” she said.

Supporters from the energy industry and local communities spoke in favor of her confirmation. Jason Sandell, who described participating in the Roosevelt Project and coal‑affected community work, said Kenderdine “cares about New Mexico” and “gets how important energy and energy policy is to our state.” The committee also received letters in support from former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and former Oklahoma Energy Secretary Michael Mink.

Committee members questioned Kenderdine about wildfire mitigation funding, the department’s role in state forestry and insurance coordination, and oversight of the Solar for All program. Senator Duhigg pressed Kenderdine to commit that contractors with documented consumer‑complaint histories would not receive funds; Kenderdine said she would “commit to ensuring in every way, shape, or form that we maximize the value of that Solar for All program” and that contractors “have sound reputations.” Kenderdine said the program totals cited in testimony are in the hundreds of millions of federal dollars and later referenced a figure of $156,000,000 for contractor funds during colloquy.

Senator Bergman, Senator Block and others asked about interagency and tribal coordination. Kenderdine said she planned a cross‑cutting review of energy and resource management that would involve multiple state agencies and tribal partners and described it as analogous to a “New Mexico version of the Quadrennial Energy Review.”

A motion was made to forward Kenderdine’s nomination to the full Senate. In a roll call on that motion the committee recorded: Senator Bergman — Yes; Senator Block — Aye; Senator Brantley — Yes; Senator Stefanik — Yes; Senator Stewart — Yes; Senator Jaramillo — Yes; Senator Duhigg — Yes. The committee chair summarized the vote: “With the vote of 8 in favor of your confirmation, we will see you later this morning for a full senate confirmation.” The nomination now moves to the full Senate for a floor vote.

Committee discussion highlighted wildfire mitigation funding, interagency coordination, and contractor oversight for large federal programs administered by EMNRD.","A Senate committee voted to send Melanie Kenderdine’s nomination as secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to the full Senate after supporters cited her federal experience and program work; senators questioned contractor oversight and wildfire funding.",{"_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},6290150,"Senate committee advances Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination as state engineer to full Senate",978,328000,1306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962&start=328&end=1306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531550-51be82cd73d1ff4dd6059f265ab19962/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6290150/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-advances-Elizabeth-Liz-Andersons-nomination-as-state-engineer-to-full-Senate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290150-c78ef1aacb81da849f0aaa088797aebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032759&Signature=dNmEX-99OM~V9y6cRZS4Rn8dA7uKw6t5JeoX76r--trUccFFGvh4ysVsz9tTp5~d8TFVhUjcy6f9VtHjCEfS0kC0Jnvew72z8G34IrFPOsQl88xgkDDEF8UTXYJYS2mJ6iVspbvhZDdKW~5rlI1d4yPfcigys0Y8iWSkzKPwZNlX9FPrHBMjQcRrW58qtiz~-ZvYB1pT3-3RkSwzEWpVrdqa4JOjXwHXe-lMk32RaXC1ww9riHUkT95c7x31jIcsoDBDLo74bkMNKLIyiAvoLCJriK6cSvyWSHmD~G5KAN0MRij8GxCw2SMUTvmKKUXRd1GDG0XOsDjJDuKuFLfcbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A state Senate committee on Wednesday voted to advance Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination to be New Mexico’s state engineer to the full Senate, proponents said, citing her 25 years of experience in water engineering and recent service in the agency.

Senator Stefanik, who sponsored the nomination, told committee members that Anderson is a licensed professional engineer educated in New Mexico and has more than 25 years working on water issues. “She brings to us a lot of experience for this position,” Stefanik said in opening remarks.

The state engineer is the state’s principal water manager. Anderson told the committee she grew up in Albuquerque, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico and has worked in both private consulting and public utility roles, including as a senior adviser in the Office of the State Engineer since 2023. “I intend to deliver on the governor’s water priorities laid out in the 50‑year water action plan and build on the excellent work that’s been done,” Anderson said.

Supporters from irrigation districts, regional water commissions and academia told the committee Anderson has experience on large water and wastewater projects and in stakeholder outreach. Aaron Balak, superintendent of the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District, said his district represents roughly 10,000 irrigated acres and “we stand in strong support of Miss Anderson’s appointment.” Bruce Thompson, a retired University of New Mexico civil engineering professor, said Anderson has a “reputation, experience, and integrity to lead the state.”

Committee members asked Anderson about priorities and operations. Anderson said aquifer mapping is a state priority supported by the governor’s 50‑year water action plan and by funding efforts now underway, and that she has already visited several district offices and ag districts. She also described ongoing legislation addressing illegal diversion and enforcement, which she identified as Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 348, and said those enforcement measures were a priority for the office.

Senator Stewart moved to advance the nomination to the full Senate. The committee recorded the following roll call on the motion: Senator Block — Aye; Senator Brantley — Yes; Senator Gallegos — Yes; Senator Stefanik — Yes; Senator Stewart — Yes; Senator Townsend — Yes; Senator Jaramillo — Yes; Senator Duhigg — Yes. Senator Lopez and Senator Bergman were recorded as excused. The motion carried and the nomination will go to the full Senate for consideration later in the day.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Anderson would be the first woman to serve as New Mexico’s state engineer, a point noted by Stefanik during the hearing. Anderson emphasized collaboration with stakeholders and operational support for staff to make data‑driven decisions.

The committee hearing brought public advocates and water officials together to press for better aquifer data and continued enforcement of water rights while supporters emphasized continuity and local experience as assets in the office’s leadership transition.","A state Senate committee voted to advance Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination as state engineer to the full Senate after sponsors and water users cited her engineering experience and continuity at the Office of the State Engineer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee clears House Bill 143 to track lobbyist activity after contentious debate and amendment

Senate committee advances Melanie Kenderdine for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources secretary

Senate committee advances Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination as state engineer to full Senate