Date:         Tue, 21 Feb 1995 09:29:20 -0500
Reply-To: summers@RT66.COM

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The New Mexico legislature in considering a bill which would increase
penalties for crimes which target people based on their actual or
perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestory, sexual
orientation, gender, or disability.

SB 615 was introduced by Sen. Tom Rutherford (D-Albuquerque) who amended
the bill in committee to include "gender," and misdemeanors in the bill.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the bill, with
empassioned speekers representing a wide and diverse consituency, and
voted to temporarily table the bill until Sen. Rutherford can further
amend the bill to provide technical language changes. The committee is
expected to pass the bill sometime this week.

No testimony was presented against the bill which is widely expected to
pass as a "tough on crime" bill.  Three Attorney Generals, from
Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos spoke in favor of the bill as a useful
tool to combat crime. New Mexico's Attorney General, Tom Udall, also
favors the bill.

Gov. Johnson told The Weekly Rainbow reporters that he opposed the bill,
but later relaxed his opposition after learning more about it.

The New Mexico legislature is also considering The Fair Housing Act,
which would provide discriminatin relief in housing in New Mexico.
Sexual orientaion, as well as race, religion and other catagories would
be protected.  New Mexico currently provides no protection against
housing discrimination for any reason.  The bill is not expected to pass
for a variety of reasons.  The inclusion of sexual orientation does not
seem to be a problem.

-Bob Summersgill,
The Weekly Rainbow

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505-244-1824, PO Box 4769, Albuquerque, NM  87196  summers@RT66.com