SB 195 would add "antisemitic discrimination" to New Mexico's Human Rights Act, defining it as hatred toward Jewish people, those perceived as Jewish, or attacks on their property or religious institutions. It prohibits employers, public accommodations, government entities, and their contractors from engaging in such discrimination. The bill would allow individuals harmed by antisemitic discrimination to file claims under existing Human Rights Act procedures. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the Senate on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.
New Mexico's SB 269 clarifies that employers cannot take adverse job actions (like termination) against qualified medical cannabis patients under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, except for impairment during work hours or on company premises. It bans random cannabis testing and restricts testing to cases with reasonable suspicion of impairment during work or after accidents involving others or property damage. The bill requires the Department of Health and Workforce Solutions to create evidence-based guidelines for determining cannabis impairment, focusing on physical and cognitive indicators. These guidelines will be shared with employers and state agencies to ensure consistent application. The law directly affects medical cannabis patients employed in New Mexico who hold a qualifying patient status.
This Senate Joint Memorial requests the governor to direct state agencies to urgently coordinate converting agricultural water resources to municipal use for Portales and Roosevelt County. It addresses critical aquifer depletion (65% loss since 2000) and current drought restrictions by proposing to utilize an existing pipeline infrastructure to supplement drinking water from a nearby dairy's agricultural water rights. The memorial specifically references a July 2024 agreement with a dairy operator adjacent to the pipeline to facilitate this near-term water conversion. It does not create new law or funding but seeks emergency coordination to address immediate water shortages affecting approximately 20,000 residents.
HB 347 allocates $10 million from New Mexico's general fund to provide scholarships and paid internships for students in bachelor's and master's degree programs in behavioral health fields (including substance addiction counseling) at state universities and tribal colleges. It directly affects New Mexico residents enrolled in these programs by supporting their education costs and practical training. The bill requires institutions to certify that this funding supplements, not replaces, existing program funding, and distributes funds based on 2024 enrollment numbers. The funding is intended for fiscal years 2026-2027, with unspent balances reverting to the general fund by the end of 2027.
SB 233 requires sellers of residential solar and small-scale energy systems to provide buyers with a detailed written statement covering key financial terms, system performance, and tax obligations. This statement must include specific disclosures like projected energy output, all fees (including maintenance and removal costs), tax incentives used, and assumptions behind savings estimates. Failure to provide this written disclosure would be classified as an unfair or deceptive trade practice under New Mexico law. The bill directly affects consumers purchasing these systems and the companies selling them, aiming to increase transparency in transactions.
SB 183 appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support economic development in the Lower Estancia Valley. The funds would contract with a local economic development organization to strengthen business income potential, promote civic and cultural programs, and address barriers to business growth in the community. This one-time appropriation expires at year-end, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund.
HB 389 requires New Mexico's designated health information exchange to also function as the state's "health data utility," combining and sharing health data for treatment, care coordination, and public health purposes. Key provisions mandate that entities maintain detailed audit logs tracking who accesses health data (including individual identities and dates), and allow patients to request annual access logs of their own health information. The bill directly affects health care providers, institutions, and the state's health data infrastructure by standardizing data-sharing protocols under the Electronic Medical Records Act. As of June 3, 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely after passing committee review.
HB 424, the "Pregnancy and Family Care Act," requires health care providers to screen pregnant patients for substance use disorder during initial visits (with consent) and develop voluntary "family care plans" addressing treatment, mental health, parenting, and child development needs. It mandates hospitals and birthing centers to provide postpartum patients with information about family care plans and establishes a new state system for reporting substance-exposed infant births (using anonymized data like zip code and substance type), separate from child abuse reporting. The bill prohibits health care providers from billing patients for substance use treatment covered by insurance and ensures pregnant/postpartum patients receive priority for treatment, including those in correctional facilities. It directly affects pregnant patients with substance use disorders, health care providers, hospitals, and the Department of Health, which must create training materials and advisory councils to implement the law.
HB 135 requires businesses or organizations seeking public funding for economic development projects to conduct a housing study before applying for support under New Mexico's Local Economic Development Act. The study must estimate housing demand created by new full-time jobs expected from the project, such as those in manufacturing, retail, or cultural facilities. This requirement applies to projects that would generate new jobs in sectors covered by the act, including manufacturing, retail, and cultural facilities. The bill amends the application process to include this housing analysis as a mandatory step before public funds are approved.
HB 51 creates tax credits for New Mexico residents and businesses that install qualifying energy storage systems (like batteries) on their property. It allows a 40% credit on installation costs, up to $6,000 for residential systems and $150,000 for commercial/industrial systems, with a total annual cap of $6 million across all credits. To claim the credit, applicants must certify system eligibility through the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department within 12 months of installation. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely after passing committee review but has not advanced further.
Senate Memorial 13, introduced by Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, is a non-binding request asking the governor to declare a "Citizen Science Day" and urging state agencies to expand community-led environmental monitoring. It specifically directs the Public Education Department, Outdoor Recreation Division, Higher Education Department, and Department of Agriculture to review a working group report and integrate citizen science initiatives, especially for youth. The bill aims to engage New Mexico residents - particularly students - in collecting data on local environmental issues like water quality and wildlife, while supporting state agencies that manage public lands. It does not create new laws or funding but seeks to formalize existing collaboration efforts highlighted in a 2024 agency report. The bill was referred to committees but was later postponed indefinitely.
SB 71, the Automatic License Plate Reader Act, establishes rules for how New Mexico law enforcement agencies may use license plate reader technology. The bill permits scanning license plates to compare with criminal justice databases (e.g., for stolen vehicles or active warrants) but requires data deletion after 14 days unless part of an ongoing investigation, court order, or written request from a prosecutor. It mandates strict security measures to prevent unauthorized sharing, prohibits targeting individuals based on protected characteristics like race or religion, and requires annual reporting on system usage including scan volumes and match outcomes. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies and the public whose license plate data is collected under these new privacy and retention rules.
