SB 264 New Mexico Senate · 2026 Regular Session

PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

The bill text for SB 264 contains no substantive provisions or policy language beyond its title and introductory header. The provided context only includes the bill's title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE"), sponsor names, and procedural history (e.g., committee substitutions and passage through the House). No specific mechanisms, affected groups, or policy changes are described in the text. Therefore, a factual summary of the bill's content cannot be generated from the available information.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 16, 2026 Signed Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

RU substitute → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill adds new definitions and protections for election integrity by prohibiting government officials from ordering troops to election locations except for national defense, banning interference with voting rights, and establishing emergency procedures for elections during disasters. The changes strengthen legal remedies for election violations and provide flexibility for election officials to maintain voting access during emergencies.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Election Code by adding new sections that define key terms, prohibit specific interference actions, and create emergency election procedures that were not previously codified in this manner.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'under color of law' and 'peace officer' to clarify who is subject to election interference prohibitions.

REQUIREMENT

Prohibits government officials from ordering troops to polling places, prescribing voter qualifications contrary to state law, or interfering with election conduct.

Creates emergency election procedures allowing county clerks to establish new polling locations and use electronic ballot transmission during disasters without court approval.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes civil penalties of $5,000 to $50,000 per violation and allows voters who were intimidated or prevented from voting to sue for relief.

TIMELINE

Requires courts to expedite election interference cases filed within 28 days before election day through election day.

ELIGIBILITY

Expands standing to sue to include voters who experienced intimidation or obstruction at polling places.

PP substitute → RU substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision significantly expands election protection measures by adding new definitions, prohibiting military troop deployments near polling places, and establishing civil remedies for election interference. The changes also strengthen penalties for election offenses and create emergency procedures for elections during disasters. Most notably, the bill now allows individual voters who experienced intimidation to bring civil lawsuits, and it prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of polling places.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general election interference provisions to include specific protections against military troop deployments at polling places, new civil enforcement mechanisms for individual voters, and emergency election procedures for natural disasters.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'under color of law' and 'peace officer' to clarify who is subject to election interference prohibitions.

Added specific definition for 'absentee ballot materials' to clarify what items are protected from unlawful possession.

REQUIREMENT

Prohibits ordering, bringing, or keeping military troops within 50 feet of polling places unless necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.

Requires county clerks to develop emergency contingency plans for elections during natural disasters and provides procedures for relocating polling places.

Prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of polling places on election day, with specific exceptions for authorized individuals like voters and election officials.

ENFORCEMENT

Allows individual voters who experienced intimidation or obstruction to bring civil lawsuits for election interference, in addition to existing state officials.

Establishes civil penalties of $5,000 to $50,000 per violation for election interference and requires courts to expedite related cases during election periods.

Increased penalties for election offenses, with some violations now classified as fourth-degree felonies rather than misdemeanors.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 15, 2026 · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

22–16

Passed

Total votes 38

Feb 15, 2026

D Democratic22

22 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican16

16 Nay

100% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Judiciary Committee

lower

Feb 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

upper

Feb 7, 2026

Committee

referred to Senate Committees' Committee & Senate Rules Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

not printed Senate Rules Committee

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors