SANTA FE, N.M. – With less than three weeks remaining in the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, the pace of lawmaking has accelerated, with several bills directly naming Cibola County advancing through key committees and onto the Senate and House floors. This week’s update not only tracks those bills but also examines legislation that, while not naming Cibola specifically, will have a major impact on the county and its future.
The most significant development of the past week is that House District 6’s vacancy has finally been filled.
Martha Garcia, a Pine Hill resident and former Cibola County Commissioner who helped the county out of insolvency and to regulate the budget during her time in the office, has been appointed to the seat by the governor, ending months of vacancy. Her appointment restores direct representation for Cibola and McKinley Counties, giving the region a voice in these final weeks of legislative negotiations.
Senate Bills Impacting Cibola County
In the New Mexico Senate, which has 42 members, Cibola County is represented by Senators Angel Charley (DAcoma, District 30) and George Muñoz (DGallup, District 4).
Senate Bill 5, the proposed State Game Commission overhaul, has now passed through all committees and has cleared the full Senate with a 28-12 vote. The bill, which renames the agency as the State Wildlife Commission and expands its membership and qualifications, now moves to the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee (HENRC).
Senate Bill 47, which updates land grant governance to include the Santa Cruz de la Cañada Land Grant, has also made significant progress. It passed the Senate unanimously (34-0) and has now cleared the House Rural Development, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee. The bill must now pass the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee before receiving a full House vote.
Senate Bill 115, which authorizes public infrastructure loans—including those for the Bluewater Water and Sanitation District and the Village of Milan—has passed the Senate with a 34-3 vote despite a Do Not Pass recommendation from the Senate Finance Committee. The bill has now been sent to the House Transportation, Public Works, and Capital Improvements Committee.
House Bills Impacting Cibola County
In the New Mexico House of Representatives, which has 70 members, Cibola is represented by Michelle Pauline Abeyta (D-To’hajiilee, District 69) and, as of this week, Martha Garcia (D-Pine Hill, District 6).
House Bill 294, which proposes allowing conservation easement land to be taxed at agricultural rates, has seen no movement and remains in committee. The state budget bill, House Bill 2, has now passed the House with a 50-18 vote and has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee for review. This is one of the most important bills of the session, as it will determine funding allocations for Cibola County’s infrastructure, schools, and local services.
House Bill 206, which proposes 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 cleared the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and is now scheduled for a House floor vote.
With a potential negative impact on jobs in Cibola County, House Bill 9 has been introduced by five Democrat representatives with the intention to prevent the incarceration of illegal immigrants in New Mexico.
House Bill 9, which has significant implications for Cibola County, has moved through committees and is set for debate on the House floor before the end of the week. While the bill does not directly name Cibola, its effects on local governance and economic development will be substantial. If passed, the legislation would prevent cities and counties from contracting with the federal government to detain illegal immigrants, a policy change that could disrupt Cibola County’s existing agreements with ICE and CoreCivic.
The City of Grants and the Village of Milan have a contract with Cibola County for the detention of local inmates. To house the local inmates, the county has a contract with CoreCivic, who operates the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico. The county also has a contract with the Department of Homeland Security which allows for the detention of illegal immigrants and other federal detainees at CCCC.
Brian Todd, the manager of Public Affairs at CoreCivic, wrote in an email, “Our immigration facilities provide a safe, humane and appropriate environment for the individuals in our care. We operate with a significant amount of oversight and accountability, adhere to all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) standards, and are monitored by ICE officials on a daily basis. Our immigration facilities are also audited regularly and without notice several times a year, and we’re routinely visited by elected officials, attorneys, families and volunteers. House Bill 9 and other similar legislative efforts are unfortunately often based on false and misleading information provided by groups and individuals that do not have direct knowledge of the facts surrounding our company, the facilities we operate, or our dedicated employees. The legislation also doesn't appear to consider the potential impact and unintended consequences to the local communities.”
Two new Memorials have emerged as one of the most important policy statements of the session for Cibola County.
Senate Memorial 14, introduced by Senator Angel Charley (DAcoma), and House Memorial 37, introduced by Rep. Michelle Pauline Abeyta (D – To’hajiilee) will both, individually, formally affirm New Mexico’s opposition to uranium mining near Mount Taylor and call for stronger protections of the mountain’s status as a Traditional Cultural Property. While memorials do not carry the force of law, this is a major policy declaration from the New Mexico State Senate, signaling its stance against uranium mining projects that could impact Cibola County’s environment, water supply, and Indigenous communities.
The Senate Conservation Committee amended the memorial to ensure that its resolution is transmitted directly to the Cibola County Commission, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.
How Much Time Is Left in the Legislative Session?
New Mexico’s 60-day session is nearing its final stretch. As of March 5, lawmakers have 17 days left before adjournment on March 22.
With Cibola County now fully represented in both the House and Senate, the final weeks of the session will determine how funding, land policy, and conservation efforts shape the county’s future. Key votes on Senate Bill 115, House Bill 206, and House Bill 9 will be critical in the days ahead.
The next two weeks will be the most important as lawmakers work to finalize funding decisions and pass major legislation before the session ends. As the deadline approaches, expect for legislators to begin working at break-neck pace, even working nights and weekends, to accomplish their government and pollical goals.