SB 407, the "Wrongful Conviction Compensation and Services Act," creates a legal pathway for New Mexicans whose convictions were overturned or pardoned to seek compensation. It requires courts to award specific damages: $100,000 per year for death penalty cases, $75,000 per year for incarceration, and $50,000 per year for parole/probation, plus economic losses like unpaid child support and attorney fees. To qualify, individuals must prove their conviction was overturned based on new evidence or a court finding they didn’t commit the crime, with strict standards to exclude cases involving self-inflicted convictions. The bill establishes a dedicated compensation fund and mandates clear procedural steps for filing petitions in district court.
HB 246 increases New Mexico's minimum wage to $17.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual adjustments based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index. It affects most covered employees, including those in retail, hospitality, and service industries, while excluding specific categories like certain agricultural workers and executive roles as defined in the Minimum Wage Act. The bill repeals prior exemption language and mandates the new wage rate to be adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. This change would directly impact workers currently earning below $17.00 hourly who are not covered by existing exemptions.
HB 555 requires that all New Mexico massage therapy licenses include a clear, visible photo of the license holder. This change applies directly to individuals holding or applying for a massage therapy license under the Massage Therapy Practice Act. The bill amends existing law to add this photo requirement, which would take effect on July 1, 2025, for all new and renewed licenses.
SB 533 is a placeholder bill with no substantive policy provisions described in the provided text. It was introduced by Senator Pat Woods in New Mexico's 2025 legislative session but contains no specific mechanisms or changes to law. The bill was referred to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on February 20, 2025, and was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. As it lacks detailed content in the summary, it does not directly affect any specific group or establish concrete policy changes. This appears to be a procedural bill that did not advance beyond committee consideration.
SB 325 creates a new associate degree program in alcohol and drug abuse counseling for qualified inmates at all New Mexico state correctional facilities, including privately operated ones. Luna Community College would grant the degree, while New Mexico Highlands University would develop the curriculum and provide technical support. The bill requires the program to meet accreditation standards and licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors, and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and beyond to establish and run the program. This policy change directly affects inmates seeking career training, correctional facilities administering the program, and the two participating colleges.
SB 206 amends New Mexico's procurement rules to increase minimum spending thresholds for public works projects (e.g., raising architectural/engineering service requirements from $50,000 to $100,000). It creates new requirements for chief procurement officers, including certification and training, and expands exemptions allowing state/local agencies to bypass standard bidding for specific purchases like IT equipment, child care services, digitized records, and appraisals. The bill also defines "public-private partnership agreements" and modifies bidding procedures, contract terms, and cost documentation rules. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and contractors working with public funds. The bill is pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.
HB 312, the "Litigation Financing Transparency Act," requires legal counsel to disclose litigation financing agreements to all represented clients within 30 days of entering such an agreement. It directly affects litigation financiers (who provide funding for lawsuits), legal counsel, and "funded consumers" (clients whose cases are financed). Key provisions prohibit financiers from controlling case strategy, paying referral fees, or assigning agreements, while mandating full transparency about funding terms. The bill is pending in New Mexico and has not yet become law, as its most recent action (June 3, 2025) postponed it indefinitely.
HB 491 allows private inspection companies to provide building inspection services to governments, contractors, and homeowners in New Mexico, aiming to improve efficiency and safety. The bill requires private inspection companies to employ certified building officials with specific experience and limits inspector employment to reduce duplication. It clarifies the Construction Industries Licensing Act to eliminate redundant licensing, nonuniform standards, and jurisdictional conflicts between inspection agencies. This directly affects local governments, construction contractors, homeowners, and private inspection businesses by changing how inspections are conducted and licensed.
SB 499 adds "safe haven baby boxes" to New Mexico's existing safe haven system, allowing parents to anonymously surrender newborns (up to 90 days old) at designated sites like hospitals or fire stations. The bill requires sites to provide information about adoption services and informs parents that they have 90 days to contact the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to seek reunification; if they don't, CYFD must file a motion to terminate parental rights. It also mandates sites to immediately notify CYFD when an infant is left and provides guidelines for medical care and permanency planning. The bill directly affects parents seeking anonymous surrender options, safe haven sites, and CYFD's procedures. (Note: The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.)
SB 363 creates a new Child Protection Authority to oversee child welfare services in New Mexico, directly affecting the Children, Youth and Families Department, foster care systems, and families involved in child welfare cases. The Authority will investigate complaints about child abuse/neglect handling, monitor department policies, issue public reports, and operate a complaint hotline - without subpoena power - while maintaining confidentiality for complainants. Key provisions include a 9-member governing board (appointed by the governor and legislature), annual reporting requirements, and protections for whistleblowers. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
SB 291 would expand the enforcement authority of conservation officers and state parks law enforcement officers in New Mexico. The bill specifically allows these officers to enforce certain sections of the Criminal Code (like criminal trespass and resisting officers), Motor Vehicle Code, and Boat Act while on duty, in addition to existing game and fish laws. This directly affects conservation officers and state parks officers by broadening their legal powers to address violations beyond wildlife enforcement, such as camping restrictions near water or vehicle-related offenses. The bill does not create new laws but clarifies that these officers can enforce existing provisions of these codes during their official duties.
HB 522 proposes annual cost-of-living adjustments to New Mexico's state minimum wage starting in 2026, tied to the Consumer Price Index. It specifically requires that tipped employees receive an hourly rate equal to 25% of the state minimum wage plus tips. The bill also mandates that all state public contracts include provisions ensuring contractors and subcontractors are reimbursed for wage increases and that workers on these contracts receive raises concurrent with state minimum wage changes. These changes would directly affect most minimum-wage workers in New Mexico, including those in state-contracted services, and establish a formal definition for the Consumer Price Index in state law.
