The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)

A controversial bill dealing with driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants appears to be dead this session, giving Gov. Susana Martinez an opening to make good on her threat to use regulations to deal with the issue.

A conference committee failed this morning to find any compromise on House Bill 78, sponsored by Rep. Andy Nuñez, DTS-Hatch. That means the House is likely to stick with its version, which would repeal a law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

And the Senate is likely to stick with its version that seeks to address concerns about people fraudulently obtaining licenses by tightening requirements while still allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses.

Martinez was quoted by KANW radio on Wednesday as saying that if the Legislature wouldn’t act, she would use executive powers to “tighten” regulations. Martinez backs the House version of the bill and has promised to veto the Senate version of the bill.