(Updated) HB9-Domestic Partner Bill Passes NM Senate Public Affairs

Packed Senate Public Affairs committee room

UPDATE 1/31/08: Note new time for hearing Friday 2/1/08 in Senate Judiciary Committee - 2:00 PM.

From EQNM:
The Domestic Partnership Rights and Responsibilities Act (HB9) passed the NM Senate Public Affairs Committee by a party line vote of 5-4. The opposition has mobilized and is showing up in large numbers. Today's committee hearing was the first where opposition attempted to pack the hearing room. Today five State Senators kept the fight for fairness alive. Senator Mary Jane Garcia explained her vote as a matter of respecting all people, values that were bestowed upon her by her religious parents.

Voting for Equality

• Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana 36)
• Senator Dede Feldman (D-Albuquerque 13)
• Senator David Ulibarri (D-Grants 30)
• Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque 12)
• Senator Howie Morales (D-Silver City 28)

Voting Against Equality

• Senator Steve Komadina (R-Corrales 9)
• Senator Kernan (R-Hobbs 42)
• Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales 27)
• Senator Steven Neville (R-Aztec 2)

Senate Judiciary on Friday
It is likely that HB9 will be heard in Senate Judiciary on Friday at 2:00 PM evening. We need supporters to turn up in large numbers to demonstrate the support behind this fight for fairness. More details to come.

The opposition prays against fairness for all families

Led by Rep. Nora Espinoza, R-Roswell 59 (right), and Former Lt. Governor Walter Bradley (left), another Republican, the opposition is determined to block fairness for all New Mexican families at this hearing. As the opposition continues to spread their language of hate, emotions will flare up. It is important to remain respectful of the process at all times.

We must be able to count on you for Friday’s hearing. Please contact Equality New Mexico at 505.224.2766 to sign-up. If you are able to take supporters in your vehicle please inform us of that fact. It is extremely important that we pack this hearing with support.

HB9 has already gained passage in the New Mexico House Commerce & Public Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, and was approved on the House Floor by a margin of 33-31. Having now passed the NM Senate Public Affairs Committee, the bill has one hurdle left in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If it passes there, it will move to the Senate Floor for a vote by the entire Senate. Last year a similar measure was killed on the Senate side by 1 vote after having passed the House.

Gov. Bill Richardson is a strong backer of the bill, having indicated it's one of the most important bills on his call this year. If it passes the Senate, he will sign it.

To read our previous coverage of the 2008 New Mexico Legislative Session, visit our archive.