New Mexico Bills

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 13: 10-YEAR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLAN

House Memorial 13, introduced by Representatives Andrea Romero and Christine Chandler, requests the Legislative Finance Committee to convene a task force to develop a 10-year plan and funding strategy for modernizing New Mexico's criminal justice system. The task force will address systemic issues like outdated law enforcement training, inconsistent case data reporting, high staff turnover, and frequent case dismissals that impact public safety and equal justice. It will create recommendations for standardized data collection, updated training programs aligned with national standards, career pathways for justice professionals, and a dedicated funding mechanism. The plan will involve input from diverse stakeholders including law enforcement, courts, tribal leaders, corrections, and community representatives to improve system efficiency and fairness.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 11: "NM SPEECH-LANGUAGE & HEARING ASSOC. DAY"

House Memorial 11 designates February 6, 2026, as "New Mexico Speech-Language and Hearing Association Day" to honor audiologists and speech-language pathologists for their work supporting New Mexicans with communication disorders. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Liz Thomson, formally recognizes these professionals' contributions to improving educational, social, and career outcomes for affected individuals. A copy of the memorial would be transmitted to the New Mexico Speech-Language and Hearing Association as part of the recognition.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 21: "NEW MEXICO FOOD & FARMS DAY"

House Memorial 21 designates January 30, 2026, as "New Mexico Food and Farms Day" to honor individuals and organizations advancing local food systems and farm-to-table initiatives across the state. It specifically recognizes 2026 award recipients, including farmers' markets, sustainable food centers, young farmers, and land stewards, for their contributions to community food access and economic resilience. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of efforts to strengthen New Mexico's food system and end hunger.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 24: STUDY RESTRUCTURING LAS VEGAS LAND GRANT

House Memorial 24 requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division and Land Grant Council to study potential consequences of changing how the Las Vegas land grant is governed. Currently, a district court manages the land grant (since 1903), but this structure has led to disputes over self-governance for land grant members and heirs. The study will examine revising the 1903 law (Chapter 49, Article 6 NMSA 1978) that gives the court management authority, following agreement from both the court and land grant members that the current system needs adjustment. The entities must report findings to legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a policy change.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 26: STATE AGENCY INSECT WORKSHOP

This memorial requests seven New Mexico state agencies - including the Department of Game and Fish, State Land Office, and Department of Agriculture - to attend a 2026 workshop on insect identification, ecology, and management. Sponsored by the Wild Friends program, UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology, and the Xerces Society, the workshop aims to improve agency knowledge of insects’ ecological roles. Agencies are encouraged to share educational materials developed by students and the sponsors, focusing on public outreach about insects’ importance to pollination, soil health, and ecosystem balance. The memorial does not create new laws but seeks to foster collaboration between agencies and educational partners to address public misconceptions about insects. It is a non-binding request, not a legislative mandate.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HJM 3: PER- & POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES REPORT

HJM 3 is a joint memorial requesting two reports about New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act (HB 212, enacted in 2025). It asks the Environmental Improvement Board to assess how well the law's phaseout rules for PFAS-containing products are working, and the Department of Environment to evaluate risks from exemptions (like those for fluoropolymers) and recommend changes. The reports must cover implementation effectiveness, public health/environmental risks, and economic impacts. Agencies must submit preliminary findings by December 2026 and a final report by August 2027. This memorial does not change laws but seeks data to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HJM 2: IPRA IMPLEMENTATION STUDY TASK FORCE

HJM 2 is a joint memorial requesting New Mexico's Attorney General to create a task force to study how effectively the state's Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) provides public access to government records. The task force must gather input from stakeholders - including courts, local governments, media, civil liberties groups, and legal experts - to evaluate IPRA's clarity, transparency, and public accountability impact. It will determine if legislative changes are needed to improve the law, with proposed changes to be considered by the 58th Legislature. This procedural resolution directly affects state agencies handling public records and aims to strengthen government transparency through a formal review process.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 4: STUDY HIGHER ED HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

This procedural memorial (HM 4) requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees across New Mexico's public universities. The study will examine current coverage gaps - such as UNM being the only institution providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate students - and evaluate options for expanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, including fiscal impacts and workforce effects, with a report due by October 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 8: HIGHER ED. MAJOR PROJECTS FUND

HB 8 creates a $300 million Higher Education Major Projects Fund in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by a transfer from the general fund. The bill allows state universities and community colleges to use these funds for major construction projects, including research facilities costing $50 million or more, student housing, and student life facilities like recreation centers. It requires institutions to cover 25-50% of project costs through non-state sources (like donations or bonds), with waivers possible if institutions cannot afford matches. Initial priorities include $150 million for a new UNM medical school, $50 million for a NMSU building, and $100 million for student housing statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 17: TV & FILM INDUSTRY TASK FORCE

House Memorial 17 requests New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department to create a task force by July 2026. The task force will study industry practices - including talent management, casting services, and agent activities - and recommend a regulatory framework for New Mexico's film, TV, and performing arts sectors. It will include representatives from unions, film offices, casting organizations, and government departments. The goal is to address gaps in oversight and develop transparency measures for performers, managers, and producers, with a final report due November 2026.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 306: PROHIBIT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITY FEES

HB 306 prohibits hospitals from charging patients facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth services starting January 1, 2027. It exempts critical access hospitals, rural sole community hospitals, and emergency department services (both hospital-based and freestanding). The bill requires hospitals to notify patients about potential facility fees before appointments and during care, display bilingual signage, and provide itemized bills showing these charges. Hospitals must also report facility fee data to the state's All-Payer Claims Database for transparency and analysis.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HJR 5: LEGISLATIVE COMPENSATION, CA

HJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to tie New Mexico state legislators' annual compensation to the state's median household income. Under this change, legislative pay would automatically increase if the median income rises and decrease if it falls, with adjustments made annually based on economic data. The amendment would take effect for legislators serving in the 59th Legislature (starting in 2028) and requires voter approval in the 2028 general election. This directly affects all state legislators by linking their salary to broader economic conditions rather than fixed rates.

Bill results