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By Public Lands, Water & Wildlife, Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, Water Quality & Land Restoration, Updates, Press Releases

CVNM statement on Pearce BLM confirmation

May 19, 2026

On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm former congressman Steve Pearce as director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The vote was 46-43, along partisan lines.  Pearce’s confirmation was one among 48 voted on as a bloc, diluting any sense of how much support he could have garnered on his own. The Senate has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 Independents.  

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By Public Lands, Water & Wildlife, Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, Water Quality & Land Restoration, Updates, Press Releases

CVNM Issues Statement in Response to Public Lands Rule Rollback and Steve Pearce Confirmation Vote

May 13, 2026

On Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) formally cancelled the 2024 “Public Lands Rule”, which required BLM to consider conservation and development equally in land decisions. The rule, formally known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, provided guidance to ensure that land protection was considered alongside mining, timber, and grazing. It also enabled BLM to issue leases specifically for conservation. This action also dovetailed with a Monday procedural vote in the U.S. Senate to advance former congressman Steve Pearce’s nomination to lead BLM. Pearce has been an outspoken advocate for selling off public lands and investing in polluter projects. In response, CVNM Legislative Director Zoe Barker issued the following statement: 

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By Updates, Press Releases, Democracy, Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, People & Health

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: A History

May 7, 2026

Last week, the United States Supreme Court ruled to throw out Louisiana’s new voting maps, citing them as unconstitutional gerrymandering (Louisiana v Callais et al.). This ruling directly conflicts with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was created to remedy voter suppression that resulted in the gross underrepresentation of Black voters. In this edition of Learning Lab, we outline the importance of the Voting Rights Act, what this ruling might mean, and what New Mexico’s leaders can do about it. 

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By Legislature, People & Health, Water Quality & Land Restoration, Updates, Air, Press Releases, Public Lands, Water & Wildlife, Democracy, Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Climate & Energy

CVNM Press Release – LCV 2025 Scorecard

February 27, 2026

Wednesday, February 26th 2026, Conservation Voters New Mexico released the New Mexico delegation’s scores for the League of Conservation Voters’ 2025 National Environmental Scorecard highlighting our state’s leaders’ work to protect our environment despite an unprecedented year with a record number of attacks on our environment and democracy. Our delegation fought against climate deniers in Congress who repeatedly chose loyalty to the Trump administration and Big Polluters over making life more affordable, safer, and healthier for their own constituents. The result has been higher energy costs for working families, lost jobs and economic opportunities, the selling of tens of millions of acres of public lands and waters to Big Polluters, fewer clean air and water safeguards, and increased pollution.

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By Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, People & Health, Updates, Press Releases, Democracy, Outcomes

CVNM Responds to Passage of State Law Criminalizing Military and ICE Interference At Polling Locations

February 18, 2026

Tuesday, February 17th 2026, the New Mexico state legislature passed SB 264 Election Rights and Troops at Elections on a party-line vote of 41-26. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Angel Charley and Joseph Cervantes, and Representatives Katy Duhigg, Heather Bergmans, and Cindy Nava, makes election interference by ICE officials or the federal government through military directive a fourth-degree felony. 

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By Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, People & Health, Updates, Press Releases

Driver Privacy and Safety Act (SB 40) Passed by the Senate

February 18, 2026

Tuesday, February 17th 2026, the New Mexico House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to the Driver Privacy and Safety Act (SB 40) by a vote of 42-22, sending the landmark privacy bill to the governor for her signature. This legislation establishes New Mexico’s first statewide regulations for Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) data, ensuring that location information isn’t weaponized against residents for seeking legal healthcare, exercising constitutional rights, or for federal immigration enforcement. 

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By Priorities, Press Releases, Democracy, Focus Areas, Accountability, Legislature, Updates

CVNM Responds to Passage of Historic Legislative Modernization Measure

February 18, 2026

Tuesday, February 17th, the Senate passed HJR 5 Legislative Compensation, CA on a vote of 23-19. The measure would provide state legislators with a salary for the first time, equivalent to the median salary for New Mexico residents. New Mexico is the last state in the nation with a fully-volunteer legislature, which serves as a substantial barrier for community members that are not independently wealthy to represent their communities in office. 

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By Legislature, People & Health, Updates, Press Releases, Outcomes, Focus Areas, Accountability, Climate & Energy

Legislature Passes Incentives To Reduce Climate Pollution In Construction and Manufacturing

February 18, 2026

Wednesday, February 18th 2026, the New Mexico Senate passed HB 153 Industrial Carbon Reduction Act on a vote of 30-6. The legislation creates a voluntary mechanism for producers of construction materials, like cement and steel, to create more climate-friendly products. Companies that opt in would have to label the carbon emissions of their products, and would be eligible for a tax rebate if their products are below the average emissions of products in the region. Construction materials are responsible for nearly one-third of all climate change emissions. Companies are also increasingly looking for environmentally-friendly alternatives for building construction. In response, CVNM Legislative Director Zoe Barker issued the following statement:

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By Legislators, Endorsements, Campaigns & Elections, Legislature, Updates, Press Releases, Agendas, Outcomes

New Mexico Votes For Pro-Climate, Pro-Conservation Candidates in 2024 Primary

June 5, 2024

New Mexico held the 2024 primary elections for federal, state and local  offices. Leading up to the primaries, CVNM, through its coordinated political action committee  CVNM Action Fund, supported candidates with commitments to taking bold action on climate,  advancing conservation policies, and upholding democracy.

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