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ALAMOGORDO, NM – January 12, 2026 – The New Mexico Legislature convenes its 2026 regular session (Second Session of the 57th Legislature) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at noon in Santa Fe for a 30-day “short session” focused on the state budget (~$11.3 billion general fund proposed for FY2027), fiscal matters, and emergency issues.
Prefiling started January 2, with about 50 bills prefiled so far (mostly House bills, all in “Sent to HPREF” status per LegiScan data as of early January). Key prefiled topics include AI transparency (HB28 – most viewed/monitored), deepfake/sensitive image distribution (HB22), professional licensure compacts (e.g., physician assistants HB45, EMS HB31, dental HB44), felon firearm penalties (HB49), school employee insurance (HB47), and more. Introduction deadline is February 4.
Southern New Mexico (including Otero, Doña Ana, Lincoln, Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Sierra counties) is represented by a mix of Republican and Democratic legislators, with rural and border-area priorities like public safety, rural healthcare, military support (Holloman AFB), water/agriculture, and economic stability.
Prefiled Bills from Southern New Mexico Legislators
Early prefile indexes (nmlegis.gov House/Senate prefile PDFs and LegiScan) show no prominent standalone bills from southern reps in the current ~50 prefiled list (mostly from northern/central sponsors or statewide). For example:
• No hits for sponsors like any of the Otero County delegation nor Rep. Doreen Y. Gallegos (D-Doña Ana), Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Doña Ana), or Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-Doña Ana) in early 2026 prefile searches.
Broader southern focus may emerge in co-sponsorships on rural health, water/infrastructure, or public safety bills. Capital outlay requests (local projects) often arise during session via amendments.
Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo, House District 51 – Otero County/Alamogordo area): No specific prefiled bills are currently listed under his sponsorship in 2026 indexes on nmlegis.gov or LegiScan (searches return “No results found” or no matching data). Block has publicly indicated intent to support or introduce measures on reducing crime and protecting New Mexicans (e.g., tougher penalties for repeat offenders or juvenile justice reforms), aligning with GOP priorities for the short session.
Past sessions show his focus as on national attention getting issues that drive media but little in the way of concrete concerns of locals in Otero County, watch for updates as prefiling continues. nmlegis.gov sponsor search; LegiScan profile.
Newly appointed Sen. Rex Wilson (R-Ancho, Senate District 33 – parts of Otero, Lincoln, Chaves): No prefiled bills attributed to him yet (recent appointee on January 8, 2026). Wilson has stated he’s eager to address rural healthcare access (e.g., workforce shortages, delivery in shortage areas) and agricultural/economic stability, but no specific introduction or co-sponsorship plans as of his appointment. Any bills may appear via co-sponsorships or later filings.
How Otero County Will Be Represented or Not
Otero County’s delegation focuses on rural, military, and public safety priorities:
House District 51 (much of Otero, including Alamogordo): Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) – Serving since 2023, Block is ranking member on House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs and member of House Consumer & Public Affairs. He’s a strong Trunpian voice. However, Block’s legislative track record has drawn local scrutiny for non-effectiveness.
In the 2024 session (30 days), he sponsored numerous bills that died without passage (e.g., pretrial detention changes, chemical castration for sex offenders – all marked “API” or dead). In the 2025 60-day session, multiple sponsored bills (e.g., HB83 decriminalizing concealed loaded firearms, HB316 interference with federal immigration law, co-sponsored efforts like repealing firearm waiting periods) saw no action or were tabled. Over his tenure, local analysis shows “Dead” as the lead classification on nearly all sponsored legislation except a handful, with zero major and relevant standalone bills becoming law.
The delegation is asked to for Holloman AFB support (economic driver), rural infrastructure/water projects, public safety grants, and budget safeguards for schools and communities. Lets see if they deliver.
Given Rep. Block’s history of sponsoring dozens of bills across recent sessions with virtually none advancing to law in a Democrat-controlled Legislature, expectations for major legislative wins from him in this short, budget-focused 2026 session remain low—particularly on high-profile priorities that have repeatedly failed to gain traction but garner television and press attention.
What to Expect for Otero County & Alamogordo Residents
• Budget & Fiscal Focus: Core work on FY2027 appropriations, with potential ties to rural/military funding.
• Public Safety/Rural Issues: Crime bills (repeat offenders, juveniles) and healthcare access could gain traction.
• Local Ripple: Any capital outlay or amendments benefiting Otero (e.g., water support).
• Short Session Pace: Limited scope means fast action on budget items; special sessions possible for urgent issues.
Track developments on nmlegis.gov (Legislation List, Sponsor Search for names like “Block” or “Wilson”; prefile PDFs at /sessions/26%20Regular/bills/house/prefile/ or senate/prefile/); LegiScan.com/NM (filter by year=2026, sponsor); or nmbilltracker.com.
Contact legislators directly (e.g., Rep. Block at John.Block@nmlegis.gov or 575-201-3230).
Alamogordo Town News and KALH Radio will follow southern NM delegation actions, bill impacts on Otero County, and session developments. Session opens January 20—stay engaged and reach out with priorities
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