Days remaining in session: 26

Shrinking the MVD line: Getting your driver's license renewed would become easier if a bill sponsored by Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, becomes law. Under Senate Bill 137, New Mexicans would be able to renew their drivers' licenses and identification cards without even having to visit a Motor Vehicle Division office. Renewals could be done online, phone or by mail.

The new process would go into effect with the implementation of MVD's new computer system, expected to be operational in early 2012, according to a news release from the Taxation & Revenue Department.

Tax & Revenue Secretary Rick Homans is backing the bill.

State Rep. Nate Cote is also carrying a similar bill (HB 25) in the House.

MVD field offices across the state process nearly 260,000 driver's license renewals and 40,000 identification card renewals each year that could all be processed online, by phone or by mail for a four-year or eight-year period if the legislation passes.

However, people applying for New Mexico driver's license for the first time, commercial driver's license holders and people 75 years and older would still be required to visit MVD offices to renew their drivers' licenses.

Beefing up border security: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is supporting a measure (HJM 9) that asks for officials from four state agencies to work with federal officials to coordinate safety and other efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The state officials would come from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation and the Border Authority.

"The security of our international border is critical to the safety of all New Mexicans and we must work diligently to prevent violent crime from crossing over our Southern border," Denish said in a statement.

"We must ensure that the free flow of commerce and trade continues uninterrupted through our three ports of entry, with all assets of the state brought to bear in a prudent and efficient manner to support both federal and local security efforts, as well cross-border economic development and job creation."

Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, is carrying the proposal.

Cut!: Gov. Bill Richardson this week vowed to fight any effort to get rid of his film incentives, which he says has resulted in the growth of the movie industry in the state.

Nevertheless, Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell, has introduced a measure (HB 52) that would repeal the film production tax credit and limit the type of projects in which the state can invest severance tax funds.

If the bill passes — and assuming just for argument's sake that Richardson would sign it — the state investment officer could only invest in films shot wholly or substantially in New Mexico, and which have a distribution contract with a "reputable" company and use production crews that have a majority of state residents.

House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, assigned the bill to three committees — Labor, Business & Industry and Tax & Revenue. Clearing three committees is tough in a 30-day session. The Labor Committee has yet to set a hearing for the bill.

Reserved parking: Reserved parking spots in the new parking garage just west of the Capitol are still available.

The cost is $360 for the whole session. Call Legislative Building Services at 986-4575 for more information.

Nonreserved parking will be available for $1 an hour, or up to $8 a day. Parking attendants will only accept cash.

Looking ahead: Fans of the New Mexico Supercomputer will show off the computer's capabilities at a news conference Monday at 1 p.m. in the Governor's Cabinet room.

Tuesday is DWI Awareness Day at the Capitol. Expect speakers and information booths, including representatives of Attorney General Gary King's office. His staff will have alcohol awareness and abuse prevention information available from The Century Council, The Federal Trade Commission and Safe Teen New Mexico, his office said.

Friday is the annual House-Senate basketball game. The Hoops for Hope game takes place at St. Michael's High School's gymnasium at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit The University of New Mexico Cancer Center. Tickets at $5 are available at the door or in advance by calling 272-6744. This year, members of the House will play in New Mexico State uniforms while the Senate members will wear University of New Mexico jerseys.