HB 20 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION DIVISION

HB 20 creates a new Technology and Innovation Division within New Mexico's Economic Development Department to advance economic growth in key sectors like aerospace, biosciences, clean energy, and advanced computing. The bill establishes a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board with representatives from national labs, universities, industry, and tribal nations to guide strategy and fund applications. It also creates a Research, Development and Deployment Fund with an application process, matching requirements for projects, and reporting obligations to track economic impact. This division and fund directly affect state agencies, businesses, research institutions, and entrepreneurs working in New Mexico's targeted innovation sectors. The law aims to coordinate state efforts, attract investment, and support ecosystem development through structured funding and strategic planning.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

CE substitute → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to create a new Technology and Innovation Division within New Mexico's Economic Development Department, establishing a dedicated office for strategy, science, and technology. The version adds a new Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board to provide guidance on innovation initiatives and expands the division's duties to include technology transfer, commercialization support, and ecosystem development for strategic sectors like aerospace, biosciences, clean energy, and advanced computing.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general economic development framework to specifically target technology and innovation sectors, creating new organizational structures and advisory mechanisms focused on strategic industries.

SCOPE

Created a new Technology and Innovation Division within the Economic Development Department with a dedicated Office of Strategy, Science and Technology.

Added specific duties for technology transfer, commercialization support, and ecosystem development for target sectors including aerospace, biosciences, clean energy, and advanced computing.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board to provide oversight and coordinate with business community stakeholders.

Expanded the division's responsibilities to include administering a Research, Development and Deployment Fund with application processes, grant evaluation, and compliance monitoring.

Added requirement for the division to develop and maintain a statewide technology and innovation strategic plan with specific metrics and success indicators.

DEFINITION

Defined 'target sectors' to include aerospace and space, biosciences, clean energy and water, advanced computing (including AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity), and other strategic sectors.

introduced version → CE substitute · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill transforms New Mexico's economic development structure by creating a new Technology and Innovation Division within the Economic Development Department and establishing a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board. The bill creates a new Research, Development and Deployment Fund with $100 million in initial funding to support innovation projects in strategic sectors like AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and aerospace. It also establishes a Technology Innovation Prize program with up to $7 million in awards to recognize technological breakthroughs.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of state economic development by adding technology and innovation as a distinct focus area with dedicated funding, advisory structures, and a new prize program, while also modernizing the department's organizational structure.

SCOPE

Created a new Technology and Innovation Division within the Economic Development Department to focus on strategic technology sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, clean energy, water, aerospace, space, and biosciences.

FISCAL

Established a new Research, Development and Deployment Fund with $100 million appropriated for fiscal year 2026 and subsequent years to provide early-stage capital and financial support for innovation projects.

Created a Technology Innovation Prize program with at least $5 million for the top award and $1 million each for the next two recipients to recognize technological innovation in strategic sectors.

REQUIREMENT

Established a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board with 21 members including representatives from national laboratories, universities, industry, and public members to provide strategic guidance on innovation initiatives.

Required applicants to provide matching funds equal to or greater than requested state funding, with up to 50% reduction for projects benefiting rural communities, minority-serving institutions, or critical state needs.

ELIGIBILITY

Set eligibility requirements for state funding that projects must advance innovation in target sectors, foster collaboration between multiple entities, and create economic opportunities or jobs in New Mexico.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the act as July 1, 2025, with advisory board appointments beginning September 1, 2025, and required annual reporting by December 1 of each year.

TECHNICAL

Repealed and replaced outdated sections 9-15-16 and 9-15-17 of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated to remove obsolete provisions related to the former technology enterprise fund.

DEFINITION

Added new statutory definitions for key terms including 'applicant,' 'applicant match,' 'board,' 'business,' 'department,' 'division,' 'documented need,' 'fund,' 'public entity,' and 'target sector' to clarify the Research, Development and Deployment Fund Act.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for recipients of technology innovation prizes to maintain operations and job creation in New Mexico for at least three years, with provisions for repayment of prize money if requirements are not met.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2025 · House Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

31–4

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 40

Mar 21, 2025

D Democratic24

18 Yea 4 Nay 2

75% Yea

R Republican16

13 Yea 3

81% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (31-4-5)

senate

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

floor substitute adopted (1 amendment)

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Commerce & Economic Development Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors