INSPECTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS ACT CHANGES

HB 497 amends New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act to expand exemptions from public disclosure and revise request procedures. It adds new exemptions for cybersecurity information, victim personal details in specific crimes (like sexual assault or child exploitation), security system records, and certain financial bidder information, while also extending deadlines for law enforcement responses during active investigations. The bill revises how public bodies must handle requests, including clearer rules for redacting sensitive information and processing grant-related materials. As of June 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely by the House committees after committee referrals.