HB 371 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

The context provided does not include the actual text or provisions of HB 371. Without specific details about the bill's content, mechanisms, or policy changes, a factual summary cannot be created. The title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is a broad category and does not describe the bill's concrete actions. Legislative actions listed (e.g., withdrawal from committee) describe its procedural history, not its policy substance.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 15, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

AF substitute → PP substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version shows minor formatting and numbering adjustments rather than substantive policy changes. The document includes technical corrections to line numbers and some formatting inconsistencies in the committee substitute text.

TECHNICAL

Added 'Proposed' label at the beginning of the document header

Corrected line numbering from 57th Legislature to proper formatting

Adjusted internal reference numbers from .233879.4 to .233879.3 in multiple locations

Reformatted indentation and spacing in section 7 regarding irrigation works and infrastructure projects

introduced version → AF substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill transforms from a generic public safety and welfare measure into a comprehensive infrastructure funding program specifically for land grant-mercedes and acequias. The substitute version creates new trust funds and project funds to provide grants and loans for infrastructure improvements, while also modifying severance tax bonding allocations to support these specific infrastructure needs. The changes establish formal governance structures and reporting requirements to ensure accountability for the new funding streams.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general public welfare provisions to specifically target land grant-mercedes and acequia infrastructure projects, creating dedicated funding mechanisms and administrative oversight for these entities.

FISCAL

Created three new funds: Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Trust Fund, Land Grant-Merced Infrastructure Project Fund, and Acequia Infrastructure Project Fund to provide grants and loans for infrastructure projects.

Modified severance tax bonding allocations to include specific provisions for land grant-merced and acequia infrastructure projects, with a $175 million annual bond limit and priority for projects with less than one-year duration.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for key terms including 'acequia', 'land grant-merced', 'qualified project', and 'infrastructure assistance' to establish clear eligibility criteria.

REQUIREMENT

Established new reporting requirements where the council must report to the legislative committee by November 1 and the commission must report by October 1 each year regarding fund expenditures and project progress.

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines for rulemaking by July 1, 2027, and for trust fund distributions beginning July 1, 2028, when the trust fund balance exceeds $40 million.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility requirements mandating that land grant-mercedes and acequias must apply for funding before requesting legislative capital outlay appropriations for their projects.

Floor votes · House Feb 15, 2026

How they voted

60–2

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 66

Feb 15, 2026

D Democratic40

37 Yea 3

92% Yea

R Republican26

23 Yea 2 Nay 1

88% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 15, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Finance Committee

upper

Feb 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

referred to House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

not printed House Rules and Order of Business Committee

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors