BY CHRISTINE CHANDLER
State Representative, District 43
D-Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Greetings following the conclusion of the 2025 Legislative Session! It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your State Representative. This year has been the most challenging in my time in the NM House of Representatives.

As Chair of the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Interim Committee, I spent the months leading up to the 2025 session diving deeply into the public safety issues that New Mexico is facing. This resulted in House Bill 8, a package of six public safety bills. As the Governor put it in her signing ceremony, I “quarterbacked” this initiative, which reforms criminal competency laws, establishes tougher penalties on fentanyl distribution and addresses DWI, school shooting threats, car theft and firearm conversion devices. In addition, I worked with law enforcement to co-sponsor HB12, which strengthens New Mexico’s Red Flag Law. I supported the important behavioral health package that created a trust fund to secure funding for statewide behavioral health initiatives, allocated $140 million in one-time funding on behavioral health programs, and created a system to address region-specific behavioral health needs. The Governor has signed all these pieces of legislation.

As you probably saw in the media, I led efforts to enact paid family and medical leave which evolved through much collaboration and compromise into the “Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act.” The bill passed the House but unfortunately did not make it out of the Senate Finance Committee. This bill remains important to me, and I will continue to fight for its passage, to protect New Mexico workers and their families.

My PFAS bill (HB140) passed both the House and Senate unanimously, and now awaits the Governor’s signature. This important bill gives the State more authority to address PFAS as hazardous waste. I also advanced New Mexico’s first AI regulation bill, “NM Artificial Intelligence Act” (HB60) to protect consumers from algorithmic discrimination in areas of education, housing, financial services, health care, insurance, and legal services. Regulation of AI and electronic privacy are significant challenges that we as a State must take on to ensure that strong protections are in place.

Additionally, I serve as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and a member of House Taxation and Revenue Committee. Serving on these important committees makes it possible for me to help craft policies to address some of our toughest challenges, from public safety to generational poverty.

My favorite part of the entire session were the visits from my constituents, especially the student groups like 4-H’ers, Girl Scouts, YMCA youth, Chamisa Elementary, and many others. You may contact me at christine.chander@nmlegis.gov

In the spirit of service,

Christine Chandler