GOVERNOR MIGHT SIGN DRUG REFORM BILLS

SANTA FE - Gov. Gary Johnson is expected to sign five bills today that deal
with drug laws and prison populations.

Three of the bills are part of the governor's efforts to ease drug laws in
the state.

The other two bills are related to drug treatment and easing prison
population, although the sponsors of those bills did not directly endorse
the governor's drug reform agenda.

"The bills are small steps in the right direction; they will improve public
health and fiscal responsibility," Johnson said in a statement issued Thursday.

Johnson had backed six drug policy reform bills in the 30-day legislative
session that ended in mid-February.

Three of the measures dealing with decriminalizing marijuana possession and
legalizing medicinal marijuana failed during the legislative session.

Here are the bills Johnson is expect to sign this afternoon:

Habitual offenders: House Bill 26 changes state law so that judges are no
longer required to sentence drug offenders to extra time in prison if they
have prior convictions. Now, judges will have flexibility to add extra time
or keep sentences the same. This is one of Johnson's drug policy reform bills.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ken Martinez, a Grants Democrat.

Civil asset forfeiture: Senate Bill 5 no longer allows the government to
automatically seize a person's assets, such as a car or cash, when they are
accused of certain crimes, such as drug crimes. The change in law now
requires a person to be convicted of a crime before police can take the
assets. This is also part of the governor's drug reform package.

The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Manny Aragon, a South
Valley Democrat.

Medicaid for convicted drug offenders: House Bill 11 changes the law so the
state can get a waiver to allow a person convicted of a drug offense to
qualify for federally funded benefits, such as welfare assistance or food
stamps. This is also part of the governor's drug reform package.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Thompson, a Northeast Heights Republican.

Drug treatment for convicted offenders: Senate Bill 129 is similar to House
Bill 11 in that it allows drug offenders to qualify for federal benefits.
But the Senate bill has a provision that requires convicted drug offenders
to be tested for substance abuse, and possibly qualify for drug treatment
services, before they qualify for Medicaid benefits.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Linda Lopez, a South Valley Democrat.

Corrections Population Control Act: House Bill 263 creates a commission to
study ways to prevent overcrowding in prisons. One of the issues the
commission will address is whether to allow for the early release
nonviolent drug offenders from overcrowded prisons if they are within 180
days of their release date.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, a Northeast Heights Democrat.