Thanks to strong community advocacy, SB73 is moving forward and could be heard in committee as soon as this week. The bill would strengthen driver education by requiring instruction on safely interacting with people walking, biking, and using micromobility. Advocates are encouraged to TAKE ACTION NOW to support SB73.
Support is also needed for HB162, which would increase penalties for reckless vehicular homicide to a second-degree felony and create a new felony offense for negligent vehicular homicide; the bill needs a Governor’s message to be heard in committee.
Action Alert: SB73 & HB162 — Contact Legislators Now
February 5, 2026 at 3:16:59 PM
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Thank you to everyone who contacted the Governor urging a message on SB73. Your outreach worked — the Governor has issued a message to the Senate, which means SB73 will now be heard in committee. This is a big step forward, and it happened because of you.
Now we need to act quickly.
Legislative Action Alert: SB73 & HB162
We are asking all members to take immediate action on the following two bills:
SB73 – Vulnerable Road User Education
SB73 would require New Mexico’s driver education curriculum to include at least three hours of instruction on how drivers must safely interact with vulnerable road users, including:
People riding bicycles
Pedestrians
Micromobility users
Link to bill is here.
Next step:
SB73 is headed to the Senate Education Committee. It is possible the bill could be heard as early as tomorrow or Monday, so TIMING IS CRITICAL.
Please take the following actions TODAY:
Contact Senate Education Committee Chair, Senator Soules, and urge him to schedule SB73 for a hearing.
Contact members of the Senate Education Committee and urge them to vote “Do Pass” on SB73.
Senate Education Committee Members
Sen. William P. Soules - Chair (Dist. 37, D): bill.soules@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD37.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: marylou.bonacci@nmlegis.govHarold Pope - Vice Chair (Dist. 23, D): harold.popejr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD23.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: sarah.minor@nmlegis.govGabriel Ramos - Ranking Member (List. 28, R): gabriel.ramos@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD28.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: brett.kasten@nmlegis.govPat Boone (Dist. 27, R): pat.boone@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD27.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: kimberly.perry@nmlegis.govCandy Spence Ezzell (Dist. 32, R): csecows@aol.com
Leg. Sec.: SD32.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: kaleigh.chappel@nmlegis.govNatalie Figueroa (Dist. 18, D): natalie.figueroa@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD18.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: kamryn.zachek@nmlegis.govMartin Hickey (Dist. 20, D): martin.hickey@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD20.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: kira.gleason@nmlegis.govCindy Nava (Dist. 9, D): cindy.nava@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD9.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: patricia.latham@nmlegis.govAnthony L. Thornton (Dist. 19, R): anthony.thornton@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Sec.: SD19.secr@nmlegis.gov
Leg. Aide: tracy.major@nmlegis.gov
HB162
HB162 is a bill that will increase the penalty for vehicular homicide while driving recklessly to a second degree felony, and it creates a new category of negligent homicide by vehicle with a penalty of a fourth degree felony. It needs a Governor's message to the House be heard in committee.
Link to the bill here.
Please contact the Governor to issue a message for HB162 so that it can be heard in committee.
Link to Governor's contact form here.
A strong and immediate show of support can make the difference in whether these bills advance.
Thank you again for your advocacy, your responsiveness, and your continued commitment to safer streets for everyone in New Mexico.