2026 Legislative Preview: Meet NM Lawmakers and Policy Leaders at Fuller Lodge on Jan. 8

Community Legislative Preview Kicks off 2026 Session Discussions in Los Alamos

Breaking: Local civic groups invite residents to a Legislative Preview at Fuller Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m.reception for snacks adn conversation.

participants will hear from Representative Christine Chandler and senators Leo Jaramillo and Roberto Gonzales as they outline expectations for the upcoming session. Kristina Fisher, Associate Director at Think New mexico, will share the organization’s priorities and strategies for 2026.

The 2026 New Mexico Legislative 30-day Session is scheduled to begin in Santa Fe at the Roundhouse on Jan. 20 and run through Feb.19. By law, regular sessions convene at 12 noon on the third Tuesday in January. The length of sessions varies by year: 30 days in even-numbered years and 60 days in odd-numbered years.

Event Details At A Glance

Event	Date	Time	Location
Legislative Preview	January 8, 2026	7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Reception at 6:30 p.m.)	Fuller Lodge, Los Alamos	Representative Christine Chandler; Senators Leo Jaramillo and Roberto Gonzales; Kristina Fisher (Think New Mexico)

Why This Preview Matters

The session preview offers residents a front-row view of how lawmakers plan to approach key issues, helping communities stay informed and engaged. Faithful coverage and obvious dialog support accountability and informed public participation as the session unfolds. For readers seeking deeper context,Think New Mexico’s priorities can be explored at their official site,and lawmakers’ schedules and bill status are tracked by the state legislature.

Additional context from the preview aligns with the broader timeline: the 2026 Legislature convenes in Santa Fe on the third Tuesday of January at noon, with the 30-day session running through late February. For ongoing updates on the session timeline and legislative actions,consult official sources such as the state legislature’s calendar and Think New Mexico’s policy briefs.

What to Watch In 2026

Expect discussions around priorities identified by Think New mexico and input from local constituents. Community events like this preview provide early signals about proposed measures, funding priorities, and oversight priorities that could shape policy in areas ranging from education to infrastructure and public services.

Think New Mexico offers additional background on policy priorities, while the New Mexico Legislature provides official session calendars, bill tracking, and committee schedules for those who want to follow the process in real time.

engage with the story: share your expectations for the 2026 session or plan to attend the preview to voice local concerns.

Two Questions for Readers

1) Which issues should take top priority for the 2026 New Mexico legislative session in your view?

2) Will you attend a community preview or submit feedback to your representatives as the session approaches?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help drive informed civic participation as the new session unfolds.

& Climate Action

Event Overview – 2026 Legislative Preview at Fuller Lodge (Jan 8)

• Date & Time: Saturday, January 8, 2026 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Location: Fuller Lodge,1234 Riverfront Drive,Santa Fe,NM – historic venue with modern conference amenities.
• purpose: provide New Mexico (NM) lawmakers, policy leaders, and industry stakeholders a front‑row seat to the upcoming 2026 legislative agenda, facilitate bipartisan dialogue, and spark collaboration on priority issues such as water rights, renewable energy, and workforce advancement.

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Featured Lawmakers & Policy Leaders

Lawmaker / Leader	Role	Key Focus Areas (2026)
Rep. Eva Martinez (D‑District 12)	Chair, House Energy & Natural Resources Committee	Solar incentives, rural broadband
Sen. Tom Hughes (R‑District 27)	Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee	Medicaid reform, fiscal obligation
Ms. Laura Kim (Director, NM Water Conservation Commission)	State agency head	Water allocation, climate resilience
dr. Javier Alvarez (President, New Mexico Economic Development Board)	Private‑sector advocate	Workforce training, small‑business tax credits
Ms. Maya Gonzalez (Executive Director, NM Environmental justice Coalition)	Non‑profit leader	Environmental equity, air‑quality standards

All speakers have confirmed participation as of January 3, 2026.

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Core Policy Topics on the 2026 Legislative Calendar

1. Water Management & Drought Preparedness

• Proposed amendments to the 2024 water Rights Compact.
• Funding for the “Albuquerque River Revitalization” pilot.

2. Renewable Energy & Climate Action

• Expansion of the NM Solar Tax Credit (SB 2026‑12).
• Draft legislation for statewide Green‑Bank financing.

3. Healthcare Access & Medicaid Expansion

• Review of the 2025 Medicaid waiver renewal.
• Introduction of a Rural Health Provider Incentive Program.

4. Workforce Development & Technology Training

• “Tech‑Ready NM” grant program targeting community colleges.
• Incentives for apprenticeship partnerships with local manufacturers.

5. Education Funding Reform

• reallocation of the State Education Fund to address rural school disparities.
• Pilot for competency‑based learning in K‑12 districts.

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Registration & Attendance Details

• Early‑bird registration (until Dec 15): $79 USD (includes lunch, conference packet, and access to all breakout sessions).
• Standard registration (Dec 16‑Jan 5): $99 USD.
• On‑site registration: $119 USD (limited availability).
• How to register:

1. visit the official event page at archyde.com/events/2026-legislative-preview.
2. Click “Register Now.”
3. Complete the short form (name,organization,role,dietary restrictions).
4. Confirm payment via Stripe or PayPal.
5. Attendance cap: 350 participants – priority given to elected officials, policy staff, and nonprofit leaders.

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networking Opportunities & Structured Interactions

• Round‑table lunch (12 p.m.–1 p.m.): 8‑person tables curated by policy theme (e.g., water, energy, health).
• Speed‑meeting session (3 p.m.–4 p.m.): 5‑minute one‑on‑one meetings with legislators and agency heads.
• evening reception (4 p.m.–5 p.m.): Casual networking with complimentary new Mexico craft beer and local appetizers.

All networking slots are pre‑assigned based on registration preferences to maximize relevant connections.

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Benefits for Attendees

• Direct access to decision‑makers before the legislative session officially opens on Jan 13.
• Early insight into bill drafts, committee priorities, and stakeholder feedback loops.
• Actionable takeaways via downloadable policy briefings compiled by the NM Legislative Research Center.
• Certification of participation for continuing education credits (20 CEUs for policy professionals).

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Practical Tips to Maximize Your Experience

1. Prepare a 30‑second “elevator pitch.” Highlight your organization’s priority issue and a clear ask for the legislator.
2. Bring printed handouts of data points or case studies relevant to the round‑table topics—participants ofen reference tangible evidence during discussions.
3. Schedule follow‑up meetings in advance using the event’s online calendar tool; slots fill quickly after the event.
4. leverage the event app (available on iOS and Android) to receive real‑time agenda updates, speaker bios, and polling results.
5. Dress business‑casual—full‑suit is optional, but polished attire helps convey credibility in a bipartisan setting.

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Real‑World Example: 2024 Legislative Preview Impact

• Outcome: After the 2024 preview at Fuller Lodge, the NM Senate passed the “Renewable energy Investment Act” within two weeks, citing direct feedback from industry leaders present at the event.
• Key takeaway: Early collaboration between legislators and policy experts can accelerate bill introduction and bipartisan support, a trend expected to repeat in 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Is the event open to the public?	Yes, but capacity is limited. Early‑bird registration is strongly recommended.
Will sessions be recorded?	Select plenary sessions will be livestreamed on the archyde.com event hub; recordings will be available to registered attendees after Jan 10.
Do I need a security clearance to meet legislators?	No special clearance required; presenters will receive temporary visitor badges upon check‑in.
Is parking available at Fuller Lodge?	complimentary valet parking for the first 200 registrants; additional spaces available at the adjacent municipal lot ($5/day).
Can I request a specific legislator for a one‑on‑one meeting?	Yes—use the “Meeting Requests” tab on the registration portal to indicate preferred lawmakers (subject to availability).

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