Sen. Cliff Pirtle

Maddy summaryNew Mexico Senate Bill 12 increases penalties for specific crimes, such as criminal trespass and breaking and entering, when they are committed within an evacuation zone. The bill defines an evacuation zone as an area designated by officials during a natural or industrial disaster that poses a threat to public safety or property. Under this legislation, individuals who knowingly commit these offenses in an evacuation zone would face felony charges with higher degrees of severity compared to the same crimes committed outside such zones. Additionally, the bill amends existing definitions in the state's criminal code to clarify terms like "evacuation zone" and "deadly weapon."

Maddy summarySB 13 modifies New Mexico's existing seven-day waiting period for firearm sales by creating a specific exemption for certified law enforcement officers and buyers holding valid concealed handgun licenses from other states. This provision allows these individuals to purchase firearms without adhering to the standard waiting period, provided the transaction involves a certified officer or an out-of-state licensee. The bill also clarifies that the waiting period rules do not apply to sales made to law enforcement agencies, between authorized officers, or among immediate family members. By updating the state code, the legislation aims to streamline firearm acquisition for specific professional and licensed groups while maintaining restrictions for the general public.