What did Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham veto in 2024?
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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – During the 2024 lawmaking session, state lawmakers passed more than 70 bills. But for those to become law, the governor had to give her signature of approval. So, which bills didn’t receive that approval?
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham did approve of the majority of the bills passed by lawmakers. Many of the bills were pieces of legislation that the governor specifically asked lawmakers to discuss.
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The governor did let the deadline pass for two bills, “pocket vetoing” them. These are Senate Bill 129 and Senate Bill 175.
Senate Bill 129 would have amended the state’s Cybersecurity Act. The bill was aimed at requiring better implementation and reporting of cybersecurity procedures for government agencies. It was changed several times while being debated by lawmakers.
Senate Bill 174 was trying to set up a fund for law enforcement recruitment. Originally, the idea was to put $35 million towards the fund, but that money was cut out after debate in the Senate Finance Committee. It’s worth noting that although this bill was pocket vetoed, the governor did approve of putting $25 million towards law enforcement and correctional officer recruitment via the statewide budget.
In addition to bills pocket vetoed, the governor also vetoed one additional bill, Senate Bill 217. That bill aimed to transfer more than $80 million from the state’s severance tax bonding fund to the severance tax permanent fund. In a message to lawmakers, the governor explained that the bill wasn’t necessary because a bill last year already put a substantial amount of money into the severance tax permanent fund.
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The governor also vetoed certain portions of the state budget. The governor explained that the line-item vetoes tend to focus on wording that she says would have “unduly” restricted spending. (You can read more about her reasoning at this link.)
For example, the governor vetoed a requirement that $1 million sent to the General Services Department be tied to the publication of building use fees. And she cut out wording that limited the state’s healthcare authority’s ability to expand Medicaid eligibility.
The governor also vetoed wording that tried to limit the New Mexico Public Education Department’s ability to set a requirement of 180 school days for the state. And on Thursday, March 7, the Public Education Department announced that they would do just that.
