To the Members of the State of New Mexico House Judiciary Committee:

HB532 before the Committee significantly weakens the State of New Mexico's whistleblower laws.

HB532 strikes out protections for those calling out an act that "constitutes malfeasance in public office; or constitutes gross mismanagement, a waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to the public."

Other changes in HB532 punish whistleblowers by reducing their ability to recover back wages when they are unfairly demoted or dismissed, and can place a significant financial burden on the whistleblower even when it is found they acted in the best interest of the taxpayers and citizens of New Mexico.

Open, responsible and accountable government should be the cornerstones of government that New Mexico strives for. Weakening New Mexico's whistleblower laws with HB532 will only serve to prevent individuals from speaking out about fraud, waste, and abuse they observe in the State of New Mexico's day-to-day operations.

For the benefit of the taxpayers and citizens of New Mexico, and in the interest of open, responsible and accountable government, we urge that the members of the House Judiciary Committee do not pass HB532 which weakens New Mexico's whistleblower protections.