New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 368: TRADITIONAL & NONTRADITIONAL CREMATION

SB 368 expands New Mexico's legal definition of "cremation" to include chemical and biological processes, not just traditional flame-based methods. This change directly affects funeral service providers, crematories, and individuals making end-of-life arrangements by adding these non-traditional methods to the state's Funeral Services Act. The bill amends key definitions in state law to clarify that "cremate" means reducing remains through "direct flame, chemical agent or biological processing," and updates related terms like "cremated remains" to reflect this broader scope. These changes ensure legal clarity for facilities using newer methods and provide clearer authorization requirements for decedents. The bill does not alter burial practices or create new requirements beyond defining the cremation process.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 123: REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT LAW ENFORCEMENT

SB 123 clarifies law enforcement responsibilities for regional transit districts in New Mexico. It allows districts to employ their own law enforcement officers with authority over district-owned property, tracks, vehicles, and facilities, requiring officers to wear distinctive badges or uniforms for valid arrests. The bill mandates that these officers obtain state certification within one year of hire and permits districts to contract with external law enforcement agencies. This directly affects transit districts and their officers by defining their legal authority and operational requirements. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, after committee approval.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 333: CLEANUP OF CONTAMINATED SITES

HB 333 appropriates $50 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Environment for assessing and cleaning up abandoned or neglected contaminated sites, including uranium mining sites, that lack responsible parties to pay for cleanup. The funding covers fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2028. This bill directly affects communities and ecosystems near these abandoned sites by providing state-funded cleanup where private entities cannot or will not act. It establishes a specific funding mechanism for environmental remediation without creating new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 228: LOCAL RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FENCES

HB 228 limits local government restrictions on battery-powered security fences with alarm systems outside exclusively residential zones. It prohibits counties and municipalities from banning these fences, imposing extra safety requirements beyond national standards, or requiring additional permits beyond standard alarm permits. The bill specifies technical requirements, including a maximum 12-volt battery, 5-foot non-electric perimeter fencing, 30-foot warning signs reading "WARNING: ELECTRIC FENCE," and height limits. This directly affects property owners (e.g., businesses, mixed-use properties) seeking to install such security systems in non-residential areas, while leaving residential zoning rules unchanged.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 254: CYBERSECURITY ACT & OFFICE CHANGES

SB 254 proposes renaming New Mexico's "Cybersecurity Office" to the "Office of Cybersecurity" and places it under the Department of Information Technology, managed by a Security Officer. The bill requires this office to establish minimum security standards for all state agencies, develop centralized incident response plans for major breaches (affecting over 10,000 residents or involving nation-state actors), and create a unified data breach reporting process. It also revises the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee's membership to include specific representation from counties, municipalities, tribal governments, healthcare, education, and private cybersecurity experts. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and tribal entities by standardizing cybersecurity practices and reporting requirements across New Mexico's public sector.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 304: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER LOAN REPAYMENT ACT

HB 304 creates a program to repay student loans for New Mexico law enforcement officers who work for county or municipal agencies. Eligible officers must have completed at least three years of service and apply through a state fund; repayment amounts are capped at $25,000 or the actual loan balance, tied to years served. The program requires officers to sign contracts agreeing to continue employment, with repayment made directly to lenders (federal, state, or commercial) upon annual employment verification. The law establishes a dedicated fund funded by state appropriations and repayments, with rules to determine eligibility and award amounts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 307: CHILD OMBUD ACT

SB 307, the Child Ombud Act, creates a new Office of Child Ombud within New Mexico's court system to independently review child welfare services. The ombud, appointed by a nine-member committee with child welfare expertise, will investigate complaints about the state's child welfare department, review policies protecting children's rights, and operate a toll-free hotline for families. Key provisions include requiring the ombud to investigate cases involving children in state custody, provide annual reports to lawmakers, and compile data on fatalities or near-fatalities. This office directly affects children in state custody, families receiving child welfare services, and the state department responsible for child protection.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 315: ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAM

HB 315 allocates $250,000 from the general fund to New Mexico State University's Board of Regents to create a statewide archaeology field school education program. The program will be developed collaboratively by the Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Cultural Affairs Department, targeting students and educators through hands-on archaeological training. The funding is restricted to fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. This is a program-specific appropriation, not a policy change affecting broader legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 208: HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE VOTER REGISTRATION

HB 208 allows New Mexico residents applying for a hunting or fishing license at the Department of Game and Fish to register to vote simultaneously. It adds the department of game and fish to existing state agencies (like motor vehicle offices) where eligible voters can register or update their registration during service interactions. The bill requires the department to appoint license vendors to accept voter registration forms, with all registrations transmitted to election officials within 10 days. This policy change directly affects people seeking hunting/fishing licenses who are not already registered to vote, expanding access points for voter registration without altering voting rights or requirements.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 118: ORGAN DONOR LICENSE BOX & REGISTRY

This New Mexico bill requires state license applications for hunting, fishing, and concealed handgun permits to include a checkbox allowing applicants to indicate their status as organ donors. The legislation establishes a statewide registry managed by the Motor Vehicle Division where these donor preferences are recorded and maintained. Authorized medical personnel can access the registry to verify a person's donor status before or after their death, ensuring their wishes are honored. The bill also mandates that specific donor language be printed on all application forms starting January 1, 2026, and requires witnesses to sign the forms for new donors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 87: USE OF RESOURCES & FED. IMMIGRATION LAW

SB 87 prohibits New Mexico state or local governments from adopting laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations that restrict the use of personnel or resources to assist federal immigration enforcement or interfere with such enforcement. It directly affects counties, cities, and state agencies by preventing them from passing policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The key provision bans any local or state measure that would block officials from using staff or funding to support federal immigration enforcement efforts. This bill does not change federal immigration law but aims to remove state-level barriers to federal enforcement coordination.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 379: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE PUNTITIVE CLAIM EVIDENCE

HB 379 limits punitive damages in medical malpractice cases by requiring patients to prove "deliberate disregard" for safety with "clear and convincing evidence" before punitive damages can be awarded. It caps punitive damages at 30 times New Mexico's median annual household income and specifies these damages must be paid personally by the health care provider - not from insurance or the state medical fund - starting January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and health care providers (hospitals, clinics, doctors) by changing how punitive damages are awarded and paid. It does not prevent settlement agreements for medical care but explicitly states punitive damages cannot be imposed where not otherwise authorized by law.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Bill results