SANTA FE, N.M. – With just ten days remaining in the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, the pressure is mounting as lawmakers race to finalize key legislation before the March 22 adjournment. Several bills that directly impact Cibola County continue moving through the legislature, while House Bill 9 and two uranium mining memorials have emerged as some of the most hotly debated measures with far-reaching implications for the region.
As the session nears its conclusion, every bill that has not yet been passed is now in its final stages of consideration. The outcome of the next week and a half will determine how Cibola County’s economy, infrastructure, conservation efforts, and local governance will be shaped in the coming years.
Senate Bills Impacting Cibola County
In the New Mexico Senate, which consists of 42 members, Cibola County is represented by Senators Angel Charley (D-Acoma, District 30) and George Muñoz (D-Gallup, District 4).
Senate Bill 5, the proposal to overhaul the State Game Commission, has now cleared the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee with amendments. The bill, which renames the agency as the State Wildlife Commission, expands membership, and tightens qualifications for commissioners, is now on the House calendar awaiting a floor vote. If passed in the House, it will be sent to the governor for final approval.
Senate Bill 47, which updates land grant governance by adding the Santa Cruz de la Cañada Land Grant, has been scheduled for a March 12 hearing in the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee. If it clears this hurdle, it will be one step away from final passage.
Senate Bill 115, which authorizes public infrastructure loans, including funding for the Bluewater Water and Sanitation District and the Village of Milan, has now advanced to the House Appropriations & Finance Committee after receiving a Do Pass recommendation from the House Transportation, Public Works, and Capital Improvements Committee. The bill is now in its final legislative stages before being put to a full House vote.
House Bills Impacting Cibola County
In the New Mexico House of Representatives, which consists of 70 members, Cibola is represented by Michelle Pauline Abeyta (D-To’hajiilee, District 69) and Martha Garcia (D-Pine Hill, District 6).
House Bill 294, which proposes allowing conservation easement land to be taxed at agricultural rates, remains stalled in committee, with no updates this week.
The state budget bill, House Bill 2, has passed the House with a 50-18 vote and is now in the Senate Finance Committee for review. This bill remains the most important piece of legislation of the session, as it determines funding allocations for Cibola County’s infrastructure, schools, and essential services.
House Bill 206, which provides funding for water infrastructure projects across New Mexico, including flood prevention in Cibola County and a water storage project for the Pueblo of Acoma, has now passed the House unanimously (63-0). It has cleared the Senate Conservation Committee and is now in the Senate Finance Committee, where final funding decisions will be made.
Economic Battle for Cibola
House Bill 9, which aims to prevent cities and counties from contracting with the federal government for the detention of illegal immigrants, continues to spark controversy. The bill passed in the House with a narrow 35-25 vote and is now being debated in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.
For Cibola County, the stakes could not be higher. If enacted, this bill could jeopardize contracts between Cibola County, the City of Grants, the Village of Milan, and CoreCivic, which operates the Cibola County Correctional Center (CCCC). The county also has a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for detaining illegal immigrants and federal detainees, and House Bill 9 could endanger that agreement.
Supporters of the bill argue that private detention centers should not be allowed to profit from immigrant incarceration and that state policy should align with national immigration reform efforts.
Opponents, including CoreCivic and Cibola County officials, argue that the bill would have devastating economic consequences, resulting in job losses and reduced funding for local law enforcement and detention services.
With just days remaining in the session, House Bill 9 is one of the most closely watched measures in Cibola, with supporters and opponents preparing for a final showdown.
Uranium Mining Memorials: A Defining Moment for Cibola
Senate Memorial 14 (introduced by Senator Angel Charley) and House Memorial 37 (introduced by Representative Michelle Pauline Abeyta) remain on the House and Senate calendars and are expected to receive final consideration this week.
These memorials, while not legally binding, are among the most important policy statements of the session for Cibola County.
If adopted, the memorials would formally affirm the state’s opposition to uranium mining near Mount Taylor and call for stronger protections for the mountain’s status as a Traditional Cultural Property.
The Senate Conservation Committee amended the memorials to require that copies be transmitted directly to the Cibola County Commission, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan. This direct engagement with local government signals an expectation that local leaders will take a position on uranium mining—a decision that will have long-term economic and environmental consequences for the region.
As the national demand for uranium rises due to energy and defense needs, this memorial could shape future policies and land use decisions in Cibola County for years to come.
How Much Time Is Left?
The countdown is on.As of March 12, only ten days remain before the session ends at noon on March 22.
With major bills still pending, late-night and weekend legislative sessions are expected as lawmakers rush to finalize votes before the deadline.
For Cibola County, the next ten days will determine:
• Whether water and infrastructure projects receive funding (House Bill 206, Senate Bill 115).
• Whether Core-Civic and federal detention contracts in Cibola remain in place (House Bill 9).
• Whether uranium mining is formally opposed by the state (Senate Memorial 14, House Memorial 37).
• How much funding Cibola receives in the final state budget (House Bill 2).
The final stretch of the session is here. The decisions made in these last ten days will have lasting effects on Cibola’s economy, environment, and governance. The next week and a half will be the most critical yet.