Pubdate: Fri, 01 Mar 2002
Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2002 The Albuquerque Tribune
Contact:  http://www.abqtrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/11
Author:  Gilbert Gallegos
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm (Johnson, Gary)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

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.
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