Poetry the therapy pony brought joy to the Roundhouse on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, during a special visit organized as part of New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Day. The Gypsy Vanner pony, a therapy animal from Loving Thunder Ranch in Rio Rancho, is a familiar face in equine therapy programs designed to assist at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The ranch, managed by Tuwana and Mike Raupp, received state funding last year to expand its initiatives.
“She’s here to spread some love,” said Mike Raupp as he guided Poetry through the building, allowing people to greet and pet her. The pony even peeked through windows, delighting lawmakers and visitors alike.
The visit coincided with New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Day, a celebration of activities encouraging residents to embrace the outdoors, from horseback riding to rafting. Carl Colonius, Program Director of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, highlighted the state’s commitment to outdoor equity, noting that $6.5 million had been allocated from the Outdoor Equity Fund to provide outdoor experiences for New Mexico’s youth.
Meanwhile, legislative action is ramping up as the session nears its end, with lawmakers working through bills on both floors.
Awaiting Governor’s Signature
A significant piece of legislation, House Bill 12, is now on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk. The bill establishes an alternative procedure for police officers seeking Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Orders in cases where a reporting party is unavailable or unwilling to participate. The Senate passed the bill on Monday night, sending it forward for executive approval.
Advocates for stricter gun regulations, including Wesley Clum, a senior at Bosque School and leader of its Students Demand Action chapter, support HB12 and are pushing for further legislation. Senate Bill 279, which proposes restrictions on the sale and possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines, recently passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits review by the Senate Finance Committee before proceeding to the House.
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Legislative Progress
Both legislative chambers have now approved 33 bills, with 29 passing in just the past week. Several notable measures advanced, including a bill to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed cannabis vendors and another allocating funds for wildfire suppression. The Senate also approved SB17, which updates parole board procedures, aligning with modern justice reform efforts.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed five House Bills, sending them to the governor’s office. Among them:
- HB191: Establishes two wildfire-related permanent funds for post-wildfire recovery and suppression.
- HB54: Requires defibrillators in all schools, not just high schools, along with cardiac response plans.
- HB192: Allocates $2.8 million for law enforcement communication system fees.
- HB10: Establishes an Enforcement Bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department to oversee cannabis regulations.
- HB323: Clarifies licensing requirements for engineers under the Engineering and Surveying Practice Act.
Transparency & Other Legislative Actions
The Senate has also given its approval to House Bill 143, a measure aimed at increasing transparency by requiring lobbyists to disclose their activities within 48 hours of attempting to influence legislation. Since the Senate removed an amendment added in the House, the bill now requires a concurrence vote before heading to the governor.
Co-sponsor Rep. Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) emphasized the importance of public insight into legislative dealings. “New Mexicans deserve clear and honest information about what happens during legislative sessions,” she stated.
On a lighter note, the Senate unanimously voted to designate the tortilla as New Mexico’s official state bread. Fifth-grader Adaline McIntosh of Las Cruces, who championed the bill, even brought fresh tortillas for legislators to sample, sparking lighthearted discussions about their best uses in New Mexican cuisine.
Other Senate approvals included:
- SB146: Corrects citations in an interstate compact for educating military children.
- SB58: Expands the role of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in child care provider regulations.
- SB495: Provides funding for public school educational television and radio stations.
- SB401: Allocates tax severance bond funding for public school broadband infrastructure.
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers passed several Senate bills, including those addressing medical treatment using psilocybin, telehealth access for social workers, teacher licensing pathways, and rare disease treatment coverage.
With only a few days remaining in the session, legislative momentum continues as lawmakers push to finalize bills before the deadline. Stay tuned to the latest developments as New Mexico’s leaders work to shape the state’s policies for the coming year .
