SB 643 — PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE
Last action — action postponed indefinitely
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 2019 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
68 added · 10 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised bill SB 643 increases the maximum liability limits for government entities and public employees under the Tort Claims Act. Specifically, it raises the cap on damages for property damage to $200,000 and for medical expenses to $300,000. This change is important because it ensures that victims of negligence by public entities can receive more substantial compensation, thereby enhancing accountability and support for those harmed by government actions.
SENATE BILLCONSERVATION 643COMMITTEE 54SUBSTITUTE THFOR LEGISLATURE-SENATE STATEBILL OF643 NEW54TH MEXICOLEGISLATURE - STATEOFNEWMEXICO- FIRST SESSIO,SESSION, 2019 INTRODUCED4 BY Joseph Cervantes 6 8 10 AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE.WELFARE;
13INCREASING BETHE ITMAXIMUM ENACTEDTOTAL BYLIABILITY THEOF LEGISLATUREA OFGOVERNMENT THEENTITY STATEOR OFPUBLIC NEWEMPLOYEE MEXICO:UNDER THE TORT CLAIMS ACT.
1514 eBE tIT 17ENACTED wBY lTHE nLEGISLATURE dOF 18THE =STATE =OF 19NEW aMEXICO: l i a e r 20 a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .213356.1
SECTION 1.
Section 41-4-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1976, e t 17 Chapter 58, Section 17, as amended) is amended to read:
w l n d 18 "41-4-19.
MAXIMUM LIABILITY.-- = = 19 A.
Unless limited by Subsection B of this section, a l i a e r 20 in any action for damages against a governmental entity or a a t m m 21 public employee while acting within the scope of the employee's d r e 22 duties as provided in the Tort Claims Act, the liability shall c e s k 23 not exceed:
e a n b 24 (1) the sum of two hundred thousand dollars u [ ($200,000) for each legally described real property for damage .214422.1 SCONC/SB 643 to or destruction of that legally described real property arising out of a single occurrence;
(2) the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for all past and future medical and medically related expenses arising out of a single occurrence;
and (3) the sum of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) to any person for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence for all damages other than real property damage and medical and medically related expenses as permitted under the Tort Claims Act.
B.
The total liability for all claims pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (3) of Subsection A of this section that arise out of a single occurrence shall not exceed [seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000)] two million dollars ($2,000,000).
C.
Interest shall be allowed on judgments against a e e 17 governmental entity or public employee for a tort for which e e n d 18 immunity has been waived under the Tort Claims Act at a rate = = l ] 19 equal to two percentage points above the prime rate as a l r i 20 published in the Wall Street Journal on the date of the entry t e a t of the judgment.
Interest shall be computed daily from the m m 21 e d date of the entry of the judgment until the date of payment.
r e 22 c e r c 23 D.
No judgment against a governmental entity or e a n b 24 public employee for any tort for which immunity has been waived u [ under the Tort Claims Act shall include an award for exemplary .214422.1 - 2 - SCONC/SB 643 or punitive damages or for interest prior to judgment." - 3 - 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 e e 17 e e n d 18 = = l ] 19 a l r i 20 t e a t m m 21 e d r e 22 c e r c 23 e a n b 24 u [ .214422.1
View plain text versions (2)
- Substitute CO substitute Current pdf
- Introduced introduced version pdf
Action History
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action postponed indefinitely
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referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
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DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute
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not printed Senate Conservation Committee
Sponsors
- Joseph Cervantes · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 111 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Joseph Cervantes Democrat
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (111)
111 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 111 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 643?
- SB 643 is sponsored by Joseph Cervantes (Democrat).
- What is the current status of SB 643?
- This bill died with 2019 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SB 643?
- Track SB 643 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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