AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT; AMENDING THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ACT TO CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RETURNING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT.

House Bill 57

Posted by Linda Gaume Jaramillo on 01/26 at 07:00 AM

AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE 15 NMSA 1978 TO ADDRESS FIRE PREVENTION ORDINANCES FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION; AMENDING SECTION 59A-52-15 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1984, CHAPTER 127, SECTION 961) TO ADDRESS CONFLICTS IN JURISDICTION OVER FIRE REQUIREMENTS IN BUILDING CODES; AMENDING SECTION 60-13-6 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1977, CHAPTER 245, SECTION 168, AS AMENDED) TO EXEMPT RESIDENTIAL FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLERS FROM CODE ADOPTION.

Comment by Travis Brown:

As most of you are probably already aware, the bill was discussed at yesterday’s committee meeting, but no action was taken and it was re-scheduled to be heard on Monday.  There was a strong representation from the fire service and discussion did occur, so concerns were voiced.  The bill’s sponsor, who is a member of the committee, stepped left prior to the bill being considered, which was the main reason for it being put off until Monday.  Apparently concerns with the bill were expressed by some of the committee members present.

I received a call from the City’s lobbyist and it appears the home builders are going to rewrite the bill and exclude all language related to limiting the authority of fire code officials and the fire code.  The residential sprinkler language is going to be changed to prohibit CID from mandating residential sprinklers, but not prohibit local jurisdictions from passing an ordinance.  Our lobbyist was told he would be given a copy of the revised bill, which he will get to me for review. 

I also spoke to Mr. Jeffrey Shapiro with the IRC Fire Sprinkler Coalition. Mr. Shapiro advised me their organization was willing to hire a lobbyist to represent the fire service on this issue.  However, he wants to be sure this is something we would welcome, especially based on the potential changes outlined above.  I advised Mr. Shapiro I would try to get an idea where we as the fire service stood.

So, if the changes listed above were to be made, where would we be in regards to accepting the bill or continuing to fight any prohibition on requiring residential sprinklers.  Please provide me your feedback on this issue.

Please forward this information to others as you see fit and let me know if you have questions.  Thanks.

Travis

SB0201.pdf

Senate Bill 201 Fiscal Impact Report

Posted by Linda Gaume Jaramillo on 01/26 at 07:03 AM

AN ACT RELATING TO EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION; MERGING THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TRANSFERRING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ENHANCED 911 SERVICE PROGRAM TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ENHANCED 911 SERVICES; TRANSFERRING THE FIRE MARSHAL DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; ELIMINATING THE CRIME STOPPERS ADVISORY COUNCIL, MOUNTED PATROL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DNA IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND INTRASTATE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND TRANSFERRING FUNCTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; SUNSETTING THE INTEROPERABILITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR TRANSFERS OF FUNCTIONS, PERSONNEL, APPROPRIATIONS, MONEY, PROPERTY, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND REFERENCES; REPEALING THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT ACT; AMENDING, REPEALING, RECOMPILING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978; RECONCILING MULTIPLE AMENDMENTS TO THE SAME SECTIONS OF LAWS IN LAWS 2003, LAWS 2007
AND LAWS 2009.

HB0054.pdf

Posted by Linda Gaume Jaramillo on 01/26 at 07:06 AM