Nef Mexico State Senate conviress Mak Cates VICE CHAIRMAN: Santa Fe Commitee Connie MEMBER: les Jala ‘SENATOR MICHAEL S. SANCHEZ MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DBernallo & Valeneis-29 (03 Bunton Road Belen, NM 87002 Business: (605) 865.0688 "Home: (505) 865 5583 February 2, 2016 Dear Members of RObD New Mexico: Thank you for your recent letter about the five bills you support dealing with reform of our state's criminal laws. Once again, and as I expressed when we met, I am very sorry for the loss of your loved ones. There is nothing worse than losing a family member as a result of a violent assault. Believe me, I too am concerned about crime in our communities, and the safety of our citizens, T want you to know that you need not be disheartened over the fact that the first two of the ‘measures were referred to three Senate committees, Public Affairs, Judiciary and Finance. Itis normal to have bills that impose a cost on the taxpayers, or impose a cost that is unknown, to be given three committee referrals, And it is not uncommon for such bills to pass the entire Senate afier receiving three committee referrals. In this session, as in past sessions, I have assigned bills that I strongly support to three committees. All these measures have an excellent chance to make it to the Senate floor for a vote. One of the reasons the Senate chose to have the initial House crime bills heard in three ‘committees is to address the issues related to possible costs involved in implementing these bills, not just the costs and pains to the victims” families, but also the financial costs to the people of New Mexico. Although the House of Representatives chose not to have their House Appropriations and Finance Committee hold hearings on any of these measures to determine their fiscal impacts, the Fiscal Impact Reports that accompany these measures say that the costs of enacting them is “indeterminate but will increase costs” to the State. Many of my fellow senators on both sides of the aisle believe that we need to begin the conversation about the costs of the proposed criminal law reforms. The taxpayers have a right to know. Assigning the bills to the Senate Finance Committee helps ensure it. Itmay give you encouragement to know that the subsequent crime measures that we have received from the House of Representatives have been given only two committee referrals, not three, The Senate has a process for considering legislation that is different from the House of Representatives. We honestly endeavor to thoroughly examine bills submitted to us in relevantcommittees, to obtain a meaningful recommendation to the full chamber, and importantly, to hear from the public and stakeholders. Although it may appear at times that the Senate's procedures are cumbersome or slow-moving, trust me, the committee process works. Be assured, the Senate is making progress on the criminal legislation. Today we are debating final passage on the Senate floor of one of the most important crime bills of the 2016 legislative session, SJR 1. This bill would expand judges’ ability to detain dangerous defendants without bail in order to protect the public. Tam confident that there is ample time remaining in the current legislative session to give all of the bills you wrote me about due and fair consideration. Itis incumbent on all legislators to protect the personal liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of every New Mexican, including those accused of committing crimes. I stand with you and the entire Senate in finding ways to better protect the people of our state. Thope this helps clarify our rationale for the committee referrals. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. Respectfully, ae Michael 8. Sanchez Senate Majority Leader