Martinez approves majority of bills passed in Legislature

Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has wrapped up action on about 190 bills passed during the recent legislative session.

Martinez approved nearly 160 bills by a Friday noon deadline, signing several of them during public appearances in Albuquerque. She vetoed about a dozen bills outright and did not take action on about 20 others, resulting in pocket vetoes.

Martinez signed the key $6.2 billion budget Thursday.

Civil rights advocates praised Martinez for signing a bill that keeps police from seizing money or assets from people in the absence of a criminal conviction.

Senate Democrats criticized her for rejecting bills they said were bipartisan, including one to allow growth of hemp for research.

The GOP controlled the House for the first time in six decades, while Democrats had an edge in the Senate, making for an acrimonious session.