New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 18: COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE SALARIES, CA

HJR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an independent nine-member citizen commission responsible for setting and adjusting New Mexico legislators' salaries. The commission would review salaries every four years, require a five-vote majority for changes, and submit final reports to the secretary of state by October 1, 2028 (and every four years after). This would replace the current method of setting legislative pay, with salaries taking effect in July following report submission. The bill also amends the constitution to specify that legislators receive per diem, mileage, and the commission-set salary as their sole compensation.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 486: CHILD WELFARE & SERVICES AGENCY

SB 486 creates the Child Safety and Welfare Services Authority to replace the current Children, Youth and Families Department, transferring its programs, assets, contracts, and legal references to this new independent agency. The bill establishes a seven-member governing board appointed by the governor (with Senate approval), requiring specific professional backgrounds like a judge, foster parent, or social worker, to oversee the authority. The board will appoint a state superintendent with a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field and five years of management experience to lead operations. This reorganization aims to establish a coordinated system for administering the state's child welfare and juvenile justice programs across agencies.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 176: BACKUP POWER GENERATION TAX CREDIT

HB 176 creates a tax credit covering 50% of the purchase and installation costs for New Mexico residents and businesses that permanently install backup power generators (devices that provide power during main grid failures). The credit is limited to $5 million total per calendar year, with applications processed in order of receipt until the cap is reached. It applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and expires on January 1, 2035. Taxpayers must apply for certification through the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, and any unused credit amount exceeding a taxpayer's liability will be refunded.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 126: SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS FUNDING

HB 126 appropriates $3 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for soil and water conservation districts statewide during fiscal year 2026. The funding supports districts' regular operations and programs, as required by state law (Sections 73-20-25 through 73-20-48 NMSA 1978), including activities like erosion control and water management. Any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects conservation districts across New Mexico, providing them with dedicated resources for their statutory duties.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 439: DECEPTIVE FRANCHISE PRACTICES ACT

SB 439, the "Deceptive Franchise Practices Act," prohibits franchisors from including unfair terms in agreements with franchisees operating in New Mexico (including non-resident franchisees running local businesses). It bans provisions requiring exclusive purchases from franchisors when comparable alternatives exist, allowing franchisors to compete unfairly in a franchisee's territory, imposing unreasonable price increases on pre-ordered goods, or forcing franchisees to pay indeterminate advertising costs. The bill also prohibits coercive practices like threatening termination to force franchisees into unwanted agreements or purchases. If enacted, it would directly affect franchisees in New Mexico by making specific contractual terms and business practices unlawful.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 341: DEATH PENALTY FOR CERTAIN CRIMES

SB 341 would impose the death penalty in New Mexico for three specific offenses: causing a child's death through willful neglect/abuse, causing a child's death while committing drug-related felonies, or causing a law enforcement officer's death during a felony. The bill requires a unanimous jury decision for a death sentence, mandates consideration of aggravating factors (like prior abuse or gang ties), and allows mitigating circumstances to reduce the sentence to life without parole. It includes due process protections such as legal representation, a separate sentencing hearing, and automatic appeal to the Supreme Court. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 564: NEW MEXICO-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION

HB 564 establishes the New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission within the state's economic development department to promote bilateral trade and investment between New Mexico and Ireland. The commission, composed of members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor (including representation from agriculture, energy, tribal communities, and Irish-American groups), will focus on advancing trade in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. It must submit annual reports to state leaders starting in 2026, detailing findings and recommendations to strengthen economic ties. This bill creates a new administrative body without altering existing laws or imposing direct costs on businesses or residents.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 516: PUBLIC & CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCIAL MONITORING

SB 516 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to implement financial monitoring systems by collecting detailed data on daily spending, program costs, student demographics, and academic outcomes. Schools must publish annual financial reports online by June 30 and submit data to the Public Education Department. The department will then synthesize this data into an annual "Return on Investment" report by October 1, analyzing how school spending correlates with student achievement and offering spending optimization recommendations. The bill appropriates $10 million from the general fund for 2026 to cover compliance costs, with unused funds reverting to the state treasury. The bill was advanced by committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 7: PRESIDENT TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

HJM 7 is a non-binding resolution from the New Mexico legislature urging President Trump to uphold the U.S. Constitution and focus on lowering consumer costs, specifically by rescinding tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The resolution cites executive actions it deems unlawful - such as freezing federal grants, pardoning January 6th Capitol rioters, and imposing tariffs that increase costs for New Mexico families - as reasons for the request. It also calls on Congress to take action if the President does not comply, though the resolution itself has no legal force. This memorial expresses New Mexico’s position on federal policy but does not alter any laws or regulations.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 552: MEDICAL CORPORATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

HB 552, the Medical Corporation Accountability Act, requires hospitals receiving local or state funding to disclose their ownership structures - including whether private equity or hedge funds own them - as well as health care provider salary ranges and CEO compensation. The Health Care Authority must then compile and report this information to the legislature annually starting in 2026. The bill also prohibits private equity funds and hedge funds from interfering with health care providers' professional decisions, such as treatment choices, staffing, or billing practices. This legislation aims to increase transparency around hospital ownership and protect clinical judgment from corporate influence.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 427: REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING

HB 427 amends New Mexico's Water Project Finance Act to prioritize real-time water quality monitoring as a qualifying project for state funding. It authorizes grants (up to $500,000 per application) and loans for water systems or local governments to implement real-time monitoring technology, track drinking water quality data, and report results to the Department of Environment. The bill establishes a total funding cap of $31.5 million for these projects, with the authority required to review the cap by June 2027. It directly affects municipal water providers and public utilities seeking to upgrade monitoring systems under the state's water project fund.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 448: SMALL BUSINESS INCOME TAX WITHHOLDINGS

SB 448 (New Mexico Senate Bill 448) allows small employers with 50 or fewer employees to choose not to withhold income tax from their employees' wages. Instead, these employers must notify the state tax department and inform employees that they are responsible for making their own quarterly estimated tax payments. The bill applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects small businesses and their employees by shifting tax withholding responsibility. It does not change tax rates or liability but modifies the withholding process for qualifying employers. The bill is currently pending before committees after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

Bill results