New Mexico House Bill HR3

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/25

Caption

Articles Of Impeachment

Impact

If enacted, HR3 would initiate a formal impeachment process, allowing the House of Representatives to bring charges against the Governor. The articles specifically state that her issuance of the public health order not only infringed upon citizens' constitutional rights to bear arms but also misused her authority by coercing state agencies to enforce directives that contradicted constitutional provisions. The implications of the bill extend to the broader issues of executive power and the balance between public safety considerations and individual rights.

Summary

House Resolution 3 (HR3) presents articles of impeachment against Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, citing her actions related to Executive Order 2023-130, which declared a public health emergency due to gun violence. The resolution lists multiple violations that the Governor allegedly committed, claiming these actions constituted misdemeanors and malfeasance in office. The articles of impeachment focus on her directives that restricted firearms possession, asserting these actions contravened both the state constitution and the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Contention

The discourse surrounding HR3 centers on whether Governor Lujan Grisham overstepped her authority and whether her actions were justified in the context of addressing gun violence as a public health issue. Critics argue that by implementing strict limitations on gun ownership, she violated both the rights of citizens as protected by the state and federal constitutions. Supporters of the impeachment contend that such actions undermine the rule of law and the principles of governance, opening a contentious debate on how best to balance state emergency powers with civil liberties.