Update The Smoking Accommodations Act passed the Public Affairs committee on February 11th. It was heard in Corporations & Transportation on February 18 and received a tie vote. Senators Kysar, Maes, McKibben and Rawson voted against it. Senators Aragon, Fidel, Kidd and Maloof voted for it. Robinson, the bill's sponsor, and Macias were excused. We urge everyone to work on Kidd, Maloof and Macias. The bill can be removed from the table at any time for a re-vote.

Oppose Senate Bill 351

The CCAA opposes passage of SB351 on the grounds that this legislation does not effectively further state or Albuquerque Clean Air Ordinances passed in 1986 or 1989 (summary of clean air legislation).

 

Senate Bill 351 "Smoking Accomodations Act" was introduced by Shannon Robinson, D, Albuquerque. This is a preemptive bill. The purpose is to prohibit smoking in designated areas, provide retail businesses with the option of providing designated smoke-free and smoking-permitted areas on the business premises, or permitting smoking anywhere on the business premises.

The CCAA in addition does not support this bill since it removes local authority to legislate on this issue. After July 1, 1999 cities and localities will be prohibitted from passing Clean Indoor Air Ordinances more stringent than above.

This bill is assigned to the Public Affairs Committee, Shannon Robinson, chair, and to the Corporations and Transportation Committee, Roman Maes, chair. You can review this bill online by clicking here.  Enter "351" in the available space and select "Senate."  For a PDF copy of the bill, click here.

Corporations & Transportation Committee members are:

- underlined names may be emailed directly

- letters may be faxed at 505.986.4610 - include Room Number for faster delivery

 

NAME	PARTY	AREA	RM NUMBER	PHONE
Manny Aragon	Dem	Albuquerque	105	505.986.4733
Joseph A. Fidel	Dem	Grants	325	505.986.4536
Don Kidd	Rep	Carlsbad	423	505.986.4369
Raymond Kysar	Rep	Farmington	422	505.986.4383
Fernando Macias	Dem	Mesilla	320	505.986.4507
Roman Maes, Chair	Dem	Santa Fe	300	505.986.4501
Phil Maloof	Dem	Albuquerque	218	505.986.4267
Billy McKibben	Rep	Hobbs	217	505.986.4274
Shannon Robinson	Dem	Bernalillo	323	505.986.4504
Leonard Lee Rawson	Rep	Las Cruces	109	505.986.4703

Public Affairs Committee members are:

Please call your Senator and ask them to vote NO on this bill. Ask your colleagues to call theirs as well. If you know a constituent of any of the above Senators ask them to call their Senator.

You may write these Senators at:

Honorable ___________ (It must be addressed to that specific senator)

Room Number or District

State Capitol Building

Attn: Mail Room Dept.

Santa Fe, NM 87501

Open letter to Senator Phillip Maloof [here]