New Mexico Bills

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 132: LIMIT DAMAGES IN LEGAL ACTION

SB 132 proposes capping punitive damages in civil lawsuits at the same amount as compensatory damages (actual losses), meaning plaintiffs cannot receive more in punitive damages than their verified harm. It also allows prevailing parties to recover reasonable attorney fees in cases where punitive damages are awarded. The bill directly affects plaintiffs in civil litigation seeking punitive damages, such as in personal injury or fraud cases. If passed, it would change how courts calculate punitive awards but is currently pending, having been postponed indefinitely by the Senate committees.

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 541: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

Based solely on the provided context, SB 541 has no substantive text or provisions described. It was introduced by Senator William P. Soules for the 2025 New Mexico legislative session, referred to the Senate Education Committee, and then postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. No specific policy changes, affected groups, or mechanisms are detailed in the available information. The bill appears stalled with no further action documented.

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 4: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, CA

HJR 4 proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to replace the Public Education Commission with an elected State Board of Education. The new board would consist of ten locally elected members who would set education policy, manage school funding, and appoint a superintendent to lead public schools. It also requires the legislature to create an independent state authority for charter schools. This constitutional change requires voter approval at the next general election and would take effect in 2029, transitioning governance from the current commission.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 326: DELINQUENCY ACT CHANGES

SB 326 amends New Mexico's Delinquency Act to change how youth offenders are handled in court. It expands definitions of "serious youthful offender" and "youthful offender," removes requirements for children's court attorneys to consult probation before filing petitions, and eliminates the need for a detention risk assessment before placing a child in detention. The bill also allows 14+ serious youthful offenders to waive an amenability hearing, changes the standard of proof in probation revocation to "preponderance of evidence," and gives courts more flexibility in sentencing and facility placements for youth. These changes directly affect youth aged 14+ involved in the juvenile justice system, courts, and child welfare departments.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 54: STUDY PUBLIC SCHOOL SAFETY

HM 54 (a House Memorial, not a bill) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to study whether New Mexico should create a centralized school safety entity. It directs the committee to collaborate with Public Safety, Homeland Security, and Education departments to research school safety needs, potential benefits of a statewide entity, and best practices from other states. The study will examine current safety measures (like anonymous reporting apps and security funding) and assess if a coordinated approach would be more effective than current fragmented efforts. The results would be reported to the Governor and Legislative Council, but the memorial does not allocate funds or create new policies.

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 88: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION ZONING ACT

HB 88, the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Zoning Act, requires New Mexico counties and municipalities to permit electric vehicle charging stations as a standard use in all zoning districts without needing special variances or public hearings. It mandates an expedited permitting process: applications must be reviewed administratively within 30 business days, focusing solely on code compliance, and automatically approved if not denied in writing. The bill also specifies that parking spaces for EV charging count toward minimum parking requirements (counting as one standard space, or two for accessible spaces). These provisions directly affect property owners installing chargers and local governments managing zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 413: INVESTMENT IN NM PRIVATE EQUITY

SB 413 increases the portion of New Mexico’s severance tax permanent fund that can be invested in New Mexico private equity funds or businesses from 11% to 14%. It requires these investments to support the state’s economic development goals, with specific definitions for qualifying businesses (e.g., those with principal offices or majority employees in New Mexico) and private equity funds (e.g., those focusing on NM-based growth). The bill also allows targeted investments in aerospace businesses receiving federal awards or technology-focused ventures partnering with state universities. All investments must follow council-approved guidelines and require semiannual reporting to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 72: NURSING STAFF-TO-PATIENT RATIOS IN HOSPITALS

HB 72 would require New Mexico hospitals to maintain minimum nurse-to-patient ratios based on hospital unit types (like critical care, emergency departments, and labor units). It creates a staffing advisory committee with balanced representation from hospital administrators, direct-care nurses, and labor organizations to help set these ratios. Hospitals would need to develop written policies for staffing, training, and competency evaluations for both licensed and unlicensed staff. The bill mandates the Health Care Authority to establish specific numerical ratios by July 2026, with potential rural hospital adjustments, while requiring hospitals to meet these minimums for patient safety.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 150: STATE MEAT PROCESSOR ASSISTANCE GRANTS

HB 150 appropriates $3 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture through New Mexico State University's Board of Regents. The funds provide grants to state meat processors to help them adapt to new technologies, address market changes, reduce regulatory burdens, and improve efficiency in meat production. These grants are available for fiscal years 2026 through 2029, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by the end of 2029. The bill directly affects meat processors in New Mexico facing economic and operational challenges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 337: HEALTH CARE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT

HB 337, the Health Care Whistleblower Protection Act, protects health care workers, patients, volunteers, and consumers who report safety risks, fraud, or violations of law in New Mexico's health care system from retaliation by health care entities. It prohibits entities from firing, demoting, or otherwise punishing individuals who disclose wrongdoing in good faith to government agencies, testify in investigations, or object to unsafe practices. Whistleblowers can sue for lost wages, reinstatement, attorney fees, and other damages if retaliated against, and their identities must remain confidential unless they consent to disclosure. The law applies broadly to hospitals, clinics, staffing companies, and telemedicine providers, but excludes federally qualified health centers and independent health care practices.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 93: OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

SB 93 allocates $20 million in state funding for after-school programs serving public school students in New Mexico. The bill directs $10 million to school districts and $10 million to nonprofit community organizations to provide and expand comprehensive, affordable after-school programming statewide. Funds must be used in fiscal year 2026 and subsequent years, with unspent balances not returning to the general fund. This funding directly affects public school students by supporting expanded access to structured after-school activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 397: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STUDENT STIPENDS

HB 397 appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Higher Education Department for stipends to undergraduate and graduate behavioral health students. It directly affects students completing required training, supervision, or practical experience needed to obtain professional licensure in behavioral health fields. The stipends are funded for fiscal year 2026 only, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund. The bill was referred to committees and later postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results