Legislative roundup: A bill seeks to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

Days left in session: 36 Casting out Columbus? A bill to change the name of the federal holiday known as Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in New Mexico cleared a major hurdle Thursday when the state House of Representatives voted 50-12 in favor of House Bill 100, introduced by Democratic Reps. Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo and Andrea Romero of Santa Fe. But the measure prompted vigorous debate between Lente and some Republican lawmakers who said they felt it does a disservice to Columbus’ role in history and would to be a further split nation. divide what already seems Lente argued, however, that renaming the holiday would not only honor Native Americans but “ensure children do not have to celebrate on a certain day this vicious history.” The U.S. began formally honoring Columbus Day in 1937, but various states, such as Alaska, and cities, including Santa Fe, in recent years have renamed it Indigenous Peoples Day. Gun permits: Sen. Bill Sharer wants to change state law so that all reserve law enforcement officers would be able to carry concealed handguns without attending a training course or paying an application fee.

Currently, this is allowed only for reserve state police officers. “Reserve officers who we trust to protect us with their guns on duty should be able to carry their guns off duty without the additional training for a concealed carry permit,” said Sharer, R-Farmington. His proposal is Senate Bill 224.

Moe says “no” to prisons: Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas has introduced a longshot constitutional amendment to remove state penitentiaries as beneficiaries of the Land Grant Permanent Fund. His proposal, House Joint Resolution 8, would instead dedicate more money from the multibillion-dollar endowment to public schools. “The relationship between the Land Grant Permanent Fund and our prison system was created over 100 years ago and is out of date and not transparent,” said Maestas, D-Albuquerque. He wants all funding for prisons to come from the state general fund, a system “where every dollar can be scrutinized.” Maestas’ proposal would have to receive approval from the House and Senate to be placed on the statewide ballot in 2020. It’s a high bar that few proposals clear. Tribute to lawmaker: State flags will fly at half-staff until sundown Friday in honor of the late Henry “Kiki” Saavedra, who served in the state House for 38 years. Saavedra, 82, died Jan. 28. His family said he had Alzheimer’s disease. His funeral will be held Friday in Albuquerque. Quote of the day: “I don’t drive well. Today, I’ve run over coats and chairs.” — Rep. Rachel Black, R-Alamogordo, after a wheeled suitcase she was dragging caught on a chair in the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee hearing room.