ADD RACKETEERING CRIMES
SB 70 expands New Mexico's Racketeering Act by adding 37 specific crimes to the definition of "racketeering," including trafficking cannabis products (Section 26-2C-28), sexual exploitation of children, dog fighting, and criminal sexual contact. This change allows prosecutors to pursue racketeering charges against individuals or groups engaging in these offenses as part of a pattern of criminal activity. The bill directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal enterprises by broadening the scope of offenses that qualify for racketeering prosecutions under existing penalties. It does not create new penalties but clarifies which crimes can trigger the Racketeering Act's provisions, such as forfeiture of assets gained through illegal activity.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 22, 2025
Signed Apr 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
JU substitute
→
Final Version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill adds 33 specific criminal offenses to the definition of racketeering in New Mexico, expanding the types of crimes that can be prosecuted under the state's Racketeering Act. The changes significantly broaden the scope of what constitutes racketeering activity, including new additions related to cannabis trafficking, sexual offenses, and vehicle-related crimes. This expansion allows prosecutors to use racketeering charges against individuals involved in these newly included offenses when they are part of a pattern of racketeering activity.
Scope change
The bill substantially expands the scope of the Racketeering Act by adding 33 new offenses to the list of crimes that qualify as racketeering activity, compared to the previous version which had fewer listed offenses.
SCOPE
Added 33 new criminal offenses to the definition of racketeering, including trafficking cannabis products, sexual exploitation of children, dog fighting, cockfighting, and various vehicle-related crimes.
DEFINITION
Modified the definition of 'racketeering' to include the newly added offenses, requiring that the act be chargeable or indictable under New Mexico law and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
Added new definitions for 'person', 'enterprise', and 'pattern of racketeering activity' to clarify who and what can be subject to racketeering charges.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the criteria for what constitutes a 'pattern of racketeering activity' to include the newly added offenses, potentially expanding the types of criminal organizations that can be prosecuted under the Racketeering Act.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Mar 21, 2025
How they voted
36–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
Mar 6, 2025
D
Democratic24
91% Yea
R
Republican16
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Apr 10, 2025
Signed into law
Signed
executive
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed House
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Introduced
Sent to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee & House Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed Senate
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
floor substitute adopted (1 amendment)
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted
upper
Mar 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute
upper
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced
Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee & Senate Finance Committee
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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