2021 SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO Legislative Guide SENATE ROSTER PAGE 20 REPRESENTATIVE ROSTER PAGE 34 COUNTY PROFILES PAGE 50 CATRON I DOÑA ANA I GRANT I HIDALGO I LINCOLN I LUNA I OTERO I SIERRA I SOCORRO 1 | SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE GUIDE JANUARY 2021 | LAS CRUCES BULLETIN 2021 LEGISLATIVE GUIDE BOLD solutions NOW, and for years to COME 271594 NMSU 4c x 10.88 Whether it’s an immediate challenge needing urgent action or a life-changing dream within reach, NMSU is always working to deliver bold solutions now and for years to come. Innovative researchers, bright students, dedicated staff and our vital community partners team up through NMSU to improve our state and our world. We will continue to fortify education, create healthy borders and modernize critical infrastructure with sights set on a better today and tomorrow. BE BOLD. Shape the Future. New Mexico State University 2 | SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE GUIDE JANUARY 2021 | LAS CRUCES BULLETIN 2021 LEGISLATIVE GUIDE Electricity is key to a community’s success. For nearly 120 years, El Paso Electric has provided our service region with the energy solutions that drive progress. Today, we’re proudly transforming your energy landscape by investing in solar energy expansion, new and innovative technologies like utility-scale battery storage, and a cleaner energy infrastructure. Because the steps we take today, light the path to a brighter tomorrow. Designed by: CultureSpan Marketing JANUARY 2021 | LAS CRUCES BULLETIN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE GUIDE | 3 Attention: NM Legislative Guide Job Name: EPE 20-346 NM Legislative Guide Size: 7.425” x 10” 4C Order Number: 621-1 Insertion Date(s): 1/22/21 2021 LEGISLATIVE GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION IN THE HOUSE Publisher’s Note ......................................................................5 Representative numerical list .......................................... 33 About the Legislature ............................................................6 Southwest New Mexico House district map .............. 33 How to pass a bill ....................................................................8 State representatives ....................................................34-35 State cabinets and departments ...............................10-11 Rep. Candie Sweetser, District 32 .................................. 36 U.S. senators and representatives .................................. 12 Rep. Rachel Black, District 51 .......................................... 36 First Session of the 55th Legislature ............................. 13 Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, District 33 .......................... 37 Rep. Raymundo Lara, District 34 ..................................... 38 IN THE STATE Rep. Angelica Rubio, District 35 ...................................... 39 Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ........................................... 14 Rep. Nathan Small, District 36 ......................................... 40 Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver ................. 14 Rep. Joanne Ferrary, District 37 ....................................... 41 State Auditor Brian S. Colon ............................................. 14 Rep. Rebecca Dow, District 38 ........................................ 42 Lt. Gov. Howie Morales ...................................................... 15 Rep. Luis Terrazas, District 39 ......................................... 43 Attorney General Hector Balderas ................................. 15 Rep. Gail Armstrong, District 49...................................... 44 State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg ..................................... 15 Rep. Doreen Gallegos, District 52 .................................. 45 Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte .................................. 16 Rep. Willie Madrid, District 53 ......................................... 46 Secretary Designate of the New Mexico Rep. James Townsend, District 54 .................................. 47 Department of Health Tracie Collins ............................. 17 Rep. Zachary Cook, District 56 ........................................ 48 Secretary of the New Mexico Department Rep. Gregory Nibert, District 59 ...................................... 48 of Veterans Services Sonya L. Smith ............................. 18 Secretary of the New Mexico Department IN THE COUNTIES of Human Services Dr. David R. Scrase ........................ 18 Catron County ....................................................................... 50 Doña Ana County ................................................................. 53 IN THE SENATE Southern Doña Ana County.............................................. 63 Senator numerical list......................................................... 19 Grant County ......................................................................... 64 Southwest New Mexico Senate district map ............. 19 Hidalgo County ..................................................................... 66 State senators .................................................................20-21 Lincoln County ...................................................................... 68 Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, District 28 ......................... 22 Luna County .......................................................................... 70 Sen. Joshua A. Sanchez, District 30 ............................... 23 Otero County ......................................................................... 72 Sen. Cliff Pirtle, District 32 ................................................ 23 Sierra County ......................................................................... 74 Sen. Joseph Cervantes, District 31 ................................. 24 Socorro County ..................................................................... 76 Sen. Bill Burt, District 33 .................................................... 25 A CLOSER LOOK Sen. Ron Griggs, District 34 ............................................. 26 Spaceport signing deals .................................................... 78 Sen. Crystal Diamond, District 35 ................................... 27 NMSU study finds state scores Sen. Jeff Steinborn, District 36 ......................................... 28 low in economic diversity .................................................. 79 Sen. Bill Soules, District 37 ............................................... 29 Outdoor economy contributed Sen. Carrie Hamblen, District 38 .................................... 30 $2.4 billion to state's economy .......................................... 80 Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics, District 39 .............................. 31 State Cultural Affairs Department Legislature welcomes new senators, seeks $31.5 million in funding ......................................... 81 representatives ..................................................................... 32 Advertiser index ................................................................... 82 PUBLISHER DESIGNER DISTRIBUTION The 2021 Southwest New Mexico Richard Coltharp Albert Vasquez Teresa Tolonen Legislative Guide is a copyrighted special edition of the Las Cruces Bulletin, designed and published by 1740-A Calle de Mercado, EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ADVERTISING OPC News,LLC, Las Cruces NM, 88005 Mike Cook Elva K. Osterreich Claire Frohs 1740-A Calle de Mercado, Las Cruces, NM 88005. 575-524-8061 Elva K. Österreich Richard Coltharp Pam Rossi www.lascrucesbulletin.com Inquiries regarding editorial Jason Watkins Jason Watkins Elaine Sasnow or advertising content may be Ian Clarke directed to 575-524-8061. © Copyright 2021 Las Cruces Bulletin 4 | SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE GUIDE JANUARY 2021 | LAS CRUCES BULLETIN 2021 LEGISLATIVE GUIDE This year’s Legislature will feature new looks in almost every sense ew Mexico has the last of Many longtime senators were unseated in the primary elections, America’s true citizen legis- including longtimers Sen. Mary Kay Papen, the president pro tem, Nlators, men and women from and Sen. John Arthur Smith, the chair of the Legislative Finance all corners of our state who don’t earn Committee. a salary to serve their constituencies. In the House, for the first time ever, the majority of the represen- These elected officials have met ev- tatives are women. ery year since 1912, but in 2021, they More and more, New Mexico’s elected officials are representing will conduct the people’s business in a the diversity that is the Land of Enchantment. way they never have. It will be a difficult session logistically. And there will be the usu- The global pandemic has changed al difficult debates on disputed issues and legislations. the way almost everything is done, But the business of the people of New Mexico will be conducted. and the legislative session is no dif- ferent. Even at our presstime, it was not certain how the legislature would operate, but most expected a hybrid form of in-person and online meetings. Necessity is the mother of invention, however, and the creativ- ity and ingenuity of our senators and representatives will almost certainly carry the day. There will be some stumbles, and some in- stances of on-the-spot changes and pivots to improve connections or operations. Even without the effects of Covid-19, this Legislature was going RICHARD COLTHARP to look different. Publisher, Las Cruces Bulletin New Mexico OF HIGH DRUG PRICES THERE IS A CURE. TELL OUR LAWMAKERS TO LOWER Rx PRICES. We’re paying twice as much for prescription drugs than other countries. Many New Mexicans are struggling to afford the prescriptions