SB 404 strengthens privacy protections for patient health records in New Mexico by requiring healthcare providers and institutions to segregate sensitive information, such as reproductive health care and gender-affirming care details, from general health records. It prohibits disclosing this segregated information without explicit consent, repealing a prior requirement to report induced abortions. The bill directly affects healthcare entities, including hospitals, clinics, and insurers, that handle patient data. Key provisions define "health care information" broadly to include mental/physical health records and explicitly protect reproductive and gender-affirming care data from unauthorized sharing.
HB 103 increases penalties for aggravated battery against peace officers by reclassifying the most severe cases - from third-degree to second-degree felonies. This applies when battery causes great bodily harm, involves a deadly weapon, or could cause great bodily harm or death. The bill does not change penalties for less severe battery offenses (which remain fourth-degree felonies). It was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, but its progress was postponed indefinitely in the Senate.
SB 190 creates a dedicated Homelessness Reduction Division within New Mexico's Health Care Authority, led by a director who will coordinate statewide efforts to reduce homelessness. The bill establishes a task force with agency secretaries to develop a strategic plan targeting homelessness prevention, improve health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and build a statewide data system to track homelessness services (while protecting privacy). It also creates an advisory council to provide community input. The bill directly affects state agencies coordinating housing and health services, and aims to streamline existing programs through better data sharing and cross-agency collaboration, with annual reports required to lawmakers.
HB 373 replaces New Mexico's existing Uniform Parentage Act with the Revised Uniform Parentage Act, modernizing laws around parentage determination for children conceived through assisted reproduction (like IVF) or surrogacy. It clarifies legal relationships by defining key terms (e.g., "intended parent," "assisted reproduction," "surrogacy agreements") and establishes procedures for establishing parentage through court or written acknowledgment. The law directly affects families using fertility services, surrogacy, or navigating parentage disputes, ensuring consistency regardless of where a child was born or lived. The bill was passed by committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and remains pending.
SB 262 proposes funding to support citizen science projects in New Mexico, where public volunteers collect wildlife data. It allocates $137,500 each to the State Parks, Environment, and Game & Fish departments for program coordinators, and $200,000 to the University of New Mexico to create web portals tracking these projects. The bill directly affects state agencies, universities, and public volunteers participating in wildlife data collection. It focuses on administrative support (coordinators and digital systems) rather than changing regulations or creating new programs.
This bill (HM 18) is a House Memorial requesting New Mexico’s state auditor to create a task force addressing the shortage of certified public accountants (CPAs) in the state. The task force, including state departments and stakeholders like the American Institute of CPAs, will study solutions such as integrating accounting into STEM education, expanding K-12 and college programs, and improving workforce training. It specifically aims to tackle barriers like the 150-hour education requirement and declining interest in accounting careers, with recommendations due by November 2025. The bill directly affects New Mexico’s CPA workforce, accounting employers, and students pursuing accounting careers.
HB 371 allows local and county governments in New Mexico to authorize off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) like ATVs to operate on paved streets and highways within their boundaries, subject to specific safety requirements. It mandates that authorized OHVs must have headlights, taillights, brakes, mirrors, mufflers, valid operator licenses, insurance, eye protection, and helmets for minors under 18. Local authorities may also set separate speed limits and operating restrictions for these vehicles. The bill does not require authorization but provides a framework for communities to permit OHV use on public roads while maintaining safety standards.
HJM 4 is a Joint Memorial requesting the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to study direct air capture (DAC) technology's benefits, costs, and potential for industry development in New Mexico. The study would evaluate how to facilitate DAC through statutory and regulatory changes, focusing on economic opportunities like job creation and climate action. It does not create new law but asks the institute to report recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This procedural request aims to support DAC development using New Mexico's geologic and resource advantages.
SB 515 restores specific election procedures for the Arch Hurley Conservancy District, which were previously repealed by the Local Election Act. The bill sets election timing (odd-numbered years on the second Tuesday of October), defines how directors are elected (one municipal director from the municipality and one at-large director from the entire district), and establishes requirements for candidate filings, public notice, and election administration. It directly affects voters and officials within the Arch Hurley Conservancy District by governing how its board members are selected. The bill does not change the district's governance structure or policy responsibilities, only the mechanics of its elections.
HB 511 creates a tax credit for businesses renovating qualifying retail centers in New Mexico, offering a 10% credit on renovation costs (up to $1.5 million per project). It applies to projects renovating at least 50% of a retail center's square footage, including construction, energy efficiency upgrades, and accessibility improvements, provided the center has three or more retail businesses and meets zoning requirements. The credit is capped at $15 million total per year across all claims, with businesses required to apply for certification within one year of project completion. This policy directly supports retail property owners and developers seeking to revitalize commercial spaces through tax incentives.
HB 574 prohibits unlicensed individuals from providing immigration consultations or services, including using the titles "notario" or "notario publico," by adding this practice to New Mexico's definition of "unfair or deceptive trade practice" under the Unfair Practices Act. It directly affects immigration consultants who operate without a law license or attorney supervision, particularly those misrepresenting themselves as "notarios." The bill makes such actions illegal under state consumer protection law, requiring providers to either hold a law license or work under a licensed attorney. This amendment aims to prevent deceptive practices targeting immigrants seeking legal assistance. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
HB 49, the Closed Captioning Act, requires most public venues in New Mexico - including restaurants, stores, theaters, and hotels - to display closed captions (text showing dialogue) on TVs during regular business hours. It applies to any "place of public accommodation" where TVs are shown to the public, excluding only small operations like single-room rentals. Venues must enable captions unless TVs can’t display them or federal law exempts the program. The Attorney General enforces the law through public complaints and can impose fines up to $250 for first violations, increasing to $500 for repeat offenses.
