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Legislative update as New Mexico session nears end
Here’s your update on New Mexico environmental legislation for Friday, March 17 (the 2017 session ends Saturday):
SB81, Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to thwart wildlife trafficking, passed the House late last night and now goes to the governor’s desk. Thanks to everyone who contacted your representative about this bill!
 
SB227, Sen. Jeff Steinborn’s bill that would put the wheels in motion to put solar on state buildings, also passed the House. Congratulations!
 
HB338, Rep. Patricia Roybal-Caballero’s community-solar bill, failed by a 31-34 vote yesterday afternoon. This was important legislation that would have created the framework to make solar energy available to those who either can’t afford to install it or who rent or live in homes that aren’t compatible with solar, etc., by allowing them to buy into a community solar installation. However, this is the farthest this legislation has ever gotten, and some of those legislators who either didn’t vote or voted “no” can be persuaded by their constituents — that’s you — in the two years before the next long session. HB338’s companion bill got stuck in Senate Corporations, so it looks like this issue won’t make it this session. 
 
SB268, prohibiting coyote-killing contests, still needs to be heard on the House floor in order to get to the governor’s office. 
 
Please call or email House Speaker Brian Egolf’s office to ask him to bring Senate Bill 268 up for a vote on the House floor before the session ends on Saturday: 505986-4782, brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov. Just email or tell the person who answers the phone that you urge Rep. Egolf to put SB268, Prohibiting Coyote-Killing Contests, up for a vote on the House floor. And please contact riogrande.chapter@sierraclub.org to let us know you acted. Thank you!
Legislative update as New Mexico session nears end