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New Mexico Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 9,506 Active 3 In committee 2,535 Passed 752 Signed 1,992 Failed 305

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 158: REPORTING OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES

SB 158 requires New Mexico's Economic Development Department to create an annual report on all projects funded through public support under the Local Economic Development Act. The report must detail each project's public funding amount, capital investment commitments, job creation numbers and wages (including full-time economic base jobs), and the project's economic return on investment. It also mandates that the department and Industrial Training Board share workforce training data - including trainee numbers, average wages, locations, and economic impact - with the Legislative Finance Committee. The report will be published online (excluding confidential business information) and submitted to the committee starting July 1, 2025, to evaluate the effectiveness of economic development incentives.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 84: EMPLOYEE FREE SPEECH ACT

HB 84, the Employee Free Speech Act, protects New Mexico employees from employer retaliation for refusing to attend or listen to workplace communications about political matters. It prohibits employers from taking adverse actions like firing, demoting, or reducing hours against employees who decline to participate in mandatory political discussions or communications. The bill allows affected employees to seek damages, reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees, while exempting required legal updates, job-related information, educational coursework, religious communications, and casual conversations. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate by June 3, 2025, and remains pending.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 6: STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN

This non-binding joint memorial (HJM 6) expresses New Mexico's legislative support for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan and New Mexico-Taiwan relations. It specifically advocates for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations (like the WHO and UN climate talks), supports ongoing U.S.-Taiwan trade negotiations, and encourages educational exchanges between New Mexico and Taiwan. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations but formally endorses existing efforts, citing New Mexico's $62 million in exports to Taiwan and companies like Admiral Cable operating in the state. The memorial passed the New Mexico House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate in June 2025.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 202: STANDARDIZE STATE INVESTMENT FUND LANGUAGE

SB 202 standardizes investment rules for multiple state funds, requiring all to follow the "prudent investor rule" for managing money. It adjusts how long certain funds remain available before reverting to the general fund (reducing the time by one year for the Capital Development Program Fund and one month for agency funds). The bill also moves the Capital Development Program Fund to the State Treasury and ensures cannabis fees go directly to the Regulation and Licensing Department Operating Fund. These changes primarily affect state investment management procedures and fund administration.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 193: STUDY PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

HB 193 tasks New Mexico's Legislative Education Study Committee with conducting an ongoing analysis of the state's public education system, including laws, policies, and costs. The committee must produce annual reports to the legislature by the tenth day of each odd-year session, focusing on areas not already covered by existing studies (like those by the Board of Educational Finance). This bill does not change current education policies but establishes a formal process for the committee to evaluate the system and recommend future legislative action. The study aims to inform potential policy decisions based on the committee's findings.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 554: RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDING AUTHORIZATION

This New Mexico bill amends zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) on residential lots and permits multifamily housing (such as duplexes) in commercial areas near transit stops. It requires local governments to permit at least one ADU per residential lot (up to 1,000 sq ft, with specific setbacks), prohibits owner-occupancy rules or extra fees for ADUs, and allows multifamily housing within a quarter-mile of transit hubs or in commercial zones. Homeowners, developers, and local governments are directly affected as they must adjust to these new zoning standards. The law aims to increase housing options by expanding permitted development types without requiring new zoning changes.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 427: REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING

HB 427 amends New Mexico's Water Project Finance Act to prioritize real-time water quality monitoring as a qualifying project for state funding. It authorizes grants (up to $500,000 per application) and loans for water systems or local governments to implement real-time monitoring technology, track drinking water quality data, and report results to the Department of Environment. The bill establishes a total funding cap of $31.5 million for these projects, with the authority required to review the cap by June 2027. It directly affects municipal water providers and public utilities seeking to upgrade monitoring systems under the state's water project fund.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 343: CYFD PLANS OF SAFE CARE FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN

HB 343 requires hospitals and birthing centers to create written "Plans of Safe Care" for newborns affected by prenatal substance exposure (e.g., drugs or alcohol in utero). These plans must be shared with the child’s doctor, a care coordinator (if insured), and the parent/guardian at discharge, outlining needed services like substance use treatment, mental health support, or early intervention. The bill updates reporting rules to ensure hospitals share data about these cases with the Children, Youth and Families Department without triggering child abuse investigations. It directly affects hospitals, newborns with prenatal exposure, and their families by coordinating healthcare and social services post-discharge.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 169: PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT

HB 169, the Public Expression Protection Act, creates a legal shield to dismiss civil lawsuits targeting speech on public issues by allowing defendants to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued, which pauses all other legal proceedings until the motion is resolved. The law applies to communications in government proceedings, speech on public matters, or exercise of free speech rights, but excludes government employees acting officially, public safety enforcement, and business sales communications (while protecting creative works like journalism). If the court rules the speech is protected and the plaintiff fails to show the law doesn’t apply, the case is dismissed without trial. This bill directly affects individuals, journalists, activists, and organizations engaging in public discourse by making it easier to end lawsuits that could suppress such speech.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 348: WATER LAW VIOLATION PENALTY

HB 348 increases daily penalties for violating New Mexico water laws from $100 to $2,000 for most violations (excluding illegal water recovery), and to $10,000 for violations involving illegal water recovery. It requires annual penalty adjustments based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index, with increases capped at 150% of current amounts. The bill prioritizes requiring violators to repay diverted water as a remedy before imposing fines, and mandates the state engineer to post updated penalty amounts annually on their website. It directly affects water users - such as farmers, ranchers, and developers - who overdivert or illegally use water resources.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 372: OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE ACT CHANGES

HB 372 amends New Mexico's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act to update vehicle definitions and registration fees. It sets a $17 registration fee (with $5 covering division costs and $12 going to a motor vehicle fund) and an optional up to $40 user fee for off-highway vehicles like ATVs, snowmobiles, and recreational off-highway vehicles. The bill also clarifies nonresident permit fees ($17 for two years) and updates safety rules, such as prohibiting operation under the influence and restricting vehicle use near livestock structures. These changes directly affect off-highway vehicle users and improve fee enforcement and fund distribution systems.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 278: CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM SCREENING INSURANCE

SB 278 requires most health insurance plans in New Mexico to cover coronary artery calcium screening scans without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for eligible individuals. It directly affects adults aged 45-65 with intermediate heart disease risk, as determined by their healthcare provider using standard risk assessment tools. Key provisions mandate coverage every four years if a prior scan showed zero calcium, no repeat coverage if a scan shows calcium buildup, and exclude short-term or limited health policies. The bill applies to group health insurance, public assistance programs, and health plans under New Mexico’s insurance laws.

Topics ✓ Healthcare