SB 64 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico public schools (including charter schools) to test whether financial incentives for school districts increase student enrollment in and completion of career development programs. The bill provides school districts with $250-$750 per high school student (grades 9-12) who successfully completes a qualifying program - such as career technical education, approved internships, or apprenticeships - that leads to an industry-recognized credential. Districts must use funds at their discretion, but incentives are capped at 10% of statewide funding per district, and the state appropriates $1.5 million for the project (2026-2028). The program requires annual reporting on participation, student demographics, program types, and outcomes, with a final evaluation due in 2028.
HB 190 amends New Mexico's Victims of Crime Act to expand protections for victims of specific crimes, including battery against healthcare workers and human trafficking. It allows victims to have an attorney licensed in New Mexico represent them in court, requires courts to provide language interpretation services, and mandates at least seven working days' notice for court proceedings unless exceptional circumstances are documented. Victims can appeal if a hearing is held with shorter notice, and courts must reschedule if the notice period was unjustified. The bill also creates a private right to sue for violations of the Act and waives government immunity for such claims.
HB 37 appropriates $250,000 from New Mexico's general fund to New Mexico Highlands University's board of regents for a feasibility study on potentially acquiring the privately owned Star Axis sculptural observatory in San Miguel County. The study would assess costs for public access upgrades, long-term operations, educational partnerships with colleges, and creating a state land art tourism network. The bill, which was postponed indefinitely in June 2025, does not authorize acquisition but only examines the possibility through a study. It directly affects state budget resources and the observatory's future status, with funds expiring unused by 2027.
HB 401 would create legal liability for nonconsensual sharing of AI-generated images, videos, or audio that falsely depicts a person engaging in conduct they did not perform, with intent to cause harm. It allows affected individuals (the "depicted person") to sue creators or platforms for such dissemination, excluding text-based AI content. The law applies to generative AI systems and large online platforms (over 100,000 New Mexico users), with specific defenses for journalism, medical contexts, or commercial use with prior consent.
HB 21 changes the revenue thresholds that determine the percentage of annual distributions land grant-merced communities receive from New Mexico's Land Grant-Mercy Assistance Fund. The bill adjusts the income levels qualifying for full (100%), 75%, 50%, or 25% distributions and makes the fund nonreverting, meaning any remaining balance at year-end stays in the fund instead of reverting to the general fund. This directly affects land grant-merced communities meeting compliance requirements under the fund's rules. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
This Senate Memorial (SM 4) proposes declaring February 18, 2025, as "ALS Awareness Day" in the New Mexico Senate. It symbolically recognizes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease, and acknowledges the impact on patients, families, and organizations like ALS New Mexico that support affected individuals. The bill does not create new policies or funding but aims to raise public awareness and honor local efforts, including the work of ALS New Mexico and the Grange family. As a non-binding resolution, it directly affects awareness efforts for New Mexicans living with ALS and their communities.
HB 311 creates a framework for establishing nonprofit "reclaimed water authorities" in New Mexico to manage treated wastewater for reuse. These authorities, created by county or municipal request, would oversee water quality standards, operate treatment facilities, sell reclaimed water to customers, and provide technical support to communities. The bill directly affects water treatment facilities, municipalities, counties, and businesses that use or distribute reclaimed water meeting state quality standards. Key provisions include requiring specific board member expertise (from water producers, wholesalers, and environmental fields), authorizing authorities to seek funding and issue fees, and mandating certification of water quality by the state.
HB 220 prohibits property deeds, contracts, and homeowner association (HOA) bylaws from banning or unreasonably restricting ignition-resistant construction (like fire-resistant materials or landscaping) that meets industry standards. It directly affects homeowners and HOAs by making such restrictions unenforceable, while allowing HOAs to impose reasonable design standards with a 60-day review window for applications. The bill defines "fire hazard" as conditions increasing fire risk and ensures HOAs cannot deny applications without written justification. It does not override mandatory building codes but aligns with safety standards from recognized industry bodies.
SB 374 creates the Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Act to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects in New Mexico. It establishes a trust fund that distributes annual money to two dedicated project funds: one for land grant-merced communities (designated political subdivisions under state law) and another for acequias (community irrigation systems organized as political subdivisions). The funds support specific infrastructure like water/wastewater systems, roads, health facilities, irrigation repairs, flood protection, and engineering studies. The bill directs the council (for land grants) and commission (for acequias) to approve project applications and terms, with funding coming from trust fund distributions. The bill passed committee but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
SB 161 requires the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to conduct state and national criminal background checks on all employees and volunteers who supervise minors in DMA youth programs, including the Youth Challenge, Job Challenge Academies, and Governor's Summer Program. It mandates fingerprinting for these checks, with applicants covering the cost, and restricts the use of results solely to DMA hiring decisions for minor-supervision roles. The bill prohibits employment or volunteering for individuals with convictions involving sex crimes, crimes against minors, or drug felonies, while allowing consideration of other relevant offenses. It also requires applicants to acknowledge their right to review and dispute background report details. This policy directly affects DMA staff and volunteers working with minors in specific youth programs.
This bill would allow retired protective service workers (such as police officers and firefighters) in New Mexico to return to work for their former public employer after a 12-month waiting period following retirement. During reemployment, their retirement pension would be suspended but would automatically resume upon leaving the position. The bill specifically prohibits these workers from accruing new retirement service credit or making contributions during their return to work. This change applies only to protective service workers, not other public employees covered under the retirement system.
HB 570 prohibits health insurers in New Mexico from requiring prior authorization for specific covered services, including chemotherapy, dialysis, elder care, and home health care. It also removes prior authorization requirements for prescription medications treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or substance use disorders - unless a biosimilar, interchangeable biologic, or generic alternative is available. Insurers may still request post-service notifications and treatment plans compliant with federal law. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking these covered services.
