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OPINION: OPINION: State law protecting journalists needs update

Mar. 15—In the tradition of the journalists I'm seeking to protect, I'm going to get right to the news: House Bill 153, my legislation to update the state's outdated shield law that protects journalists, won't be enacted this session. The time left in the session is short. In addition to a House floor vote, HB153 would need to make its way through the Senate by March 22. House Republicans are dragging out debate on any bill that's even mildly controversial to the maximum of three hours. I assume they've been preparing for a chance to hit journalists and maximize the time a hearing on this bill would consume. Frankly, with the House Democratic caucus' focus on bills that directly impact the needs of New Mexicans, House Bill 153 is out of time. This isn't over. The most necessary step to protect journalists from having to reveal confidential sources or share their notes is to update the state Supreme Court's shield rule. That is a separate process that does not involve the Legislature. My expert witness, attorney Charles K. Purcell, and I will formally request that the Court update that rule after the conclusion of the legislative session. And I'll be back in two years to try to pass this legislation to update the shield law, which applies to agencies in the executive and legislative branches that have subpoena power. Protecting whistleblowers and the journalists who give them voice is critical to upholding our democracy. In the meantime, House Bill 143, my legislation to bring transparency lobbying in the Roundhouse, has a real chance of passing. Enacting this bill would be immense. It's gotten further this year than ever before. The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear it Saturday, a week before the session ends. In other words, there's time to get HB143 through, but it's tight. There's some resistance to both of my major bills, HB143 and HB153, so I'm focusing on the one that has the best chance of passage. I'm going to spend the session's final days working to get HB143 to the governor and bring home what I hope will be $5 million for the public safety facility in Chaparral so we can start construction. I'll be back to working on protecting our journalists once the session is over. I'm sorry I couldn't get this legislation approved this year