New Mexico Bills

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 184: TAXPAYER INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS

HB 184 would provide an annual $1,000 cash payment to New Mexico residents who filed an individual income tax return (or requested an extension) for the previous year. The Department of Finance and Administration would distribute these payments by April 15 each year, with married couples filing jointly receiving $1,000 per spouse. A "resident" is defined as someone domiciled in New Mexico during the year or physically present for at least 185 days, excluding those who changed their abode with intent to leave permanently. This direct payment program affects individual taxpayers who meet the residency and filing requirements, funded from the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 489: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR ABUSED CHILDREN

SB 489 allows New Mexico's children's courts to require abused or neglected children aged 14 and older to participate in court-ordered behavioral health services or treatment, after a hearing where the court determines it is necessary for the child's health, safety, or welfare. The bill amends existing law to clarify that such children have the right to consent to treatment (including therapy and counseling) without parental permission, though psychotropic medications still require parental consent with child notification. It specifically applies to youth under the court's jurisdiction due to abuse or neglect, not to all minors or general mental health cases. The law does not change consent rules for special education services or override a child's right to control disclosure of their mental health records.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 7: NO COUNTY SHERIFF TERM LIMITS, CA

HJR 7 proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to remove term limits for county sheriffs, allowing them to serve unlimited consecutive four-year terms. Currently, sheriffs are barred from holding office for more than two consecutive terms (with a two-year break required before re-election), but this amendment would eliminate that restriction. The change would directly affect county sheriffs across New Mexico and requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect. This is a constitutional amendment, not a regular law, so it would not change current sheriffs' terms but would apply to future elections.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 264: ADMINISTRATIVE FEE CHANGES

SB 264 adjusts administrative fees across multiple New Mexico state programs. It increases game and fish license fees for all residents and non-residents, with annual inflation-based adjustments starting in 2027, and provides a 25% discount on all fees for residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill also raises fees to fund the Workers' Compensation Administration and changes environmental fees to be based on actual program costs rather than fixed amounts. These changes directly affect hunters, anglers, food service businesses, and state program operations through updated fee structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 399: LOCAL GOV'T BORDER SUPPORT REIMBURSEMENT FUND

SB 399 creates a state fund to reimburse New Mexico local governments for specific border-related expenses directly requested by state or federal authorities. The fund covers costs like emergency medical services for border crises, law enforcement responses to unattended deaths, specialized border patrol equipment, humanitarian aid (transportation, housing, healthcare), illegal dumping cleanup, and state/federal drug/human trafficking task forces. Administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, the fund uses state appropriations to pay eligible local governments for these documented expenses. The bill requires the department to establish rules for reimbursement and specifies exactly which costs qualify.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 437: FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATION TAX CREDIT

HB 437 creates a tax credit for New Mexico residents who donate to qualifying foster care organizations. The credit provides $500 for most individuals and $1,000 for married couples filing jointly, with unused portions carried forward for up to five years if they exceed current tax liability. To qualify, organizations must have federal 501(c)(3) status, serve at least 200 foster care youth in New Mexico, and spend at least half their budget on foster care services like medical care, education support, and activities promoting normal childhood experiences. The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and requires documentation from both donors and organizations to verify eligibility.

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 273: VETERAN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

This bill appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to the Veterans' Services Department for fiscal year 2026 to contract services supporting transitional housing for veterans and their families. It directly affects veterans and their families in New Mexico by funding temporary housing support during transitions. The key mechanism is a one-time funding allocation for contracted housing services, with any unspent funds reverting to the state treasury by year-end. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new programs, solely providing dedicated funding for existing transitional housing support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 383: EXPOSURE TO FENTANYL USE AS CHILD ABUSE

HB 383 amends New Mexico's child abuse law to automatically treat knowing exposure of a child to fentanyl (or methamphetamine) as evidence of abuse. This means that if a parent, guardian, or caregiver intentionally exposes a child to fentanyl use, it will be considered direct proof of child abuse in legal cases. The bill also appropriates $500,000 to the Department of Public Safety for fiscal year 2026 to expand investigations of child abuse cases involving fentanyl. The law, effective July 1, 2025, will apply to caregivers who expose children to these drugs, potentially leading to criminal charges under existing child abuse statutes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 5: PROTECTIONS FOR UPPER PECOS WATERSHED

House Joint Memorial 5 requests New Mexico's legislature to support federal protections for the Upper Pecos Watershed. It urges federal action to permanently withdraw lands from mining claims and advocates for congressional passage of the Pecos Watershed Protection Act to safeguard water resources, cultural heritage (including ties to Pecos Pueblo and Pueblo of Tesuque), and local economies dependent on agriculture, recreation, and clean water. The memorial emphasizes the watershed's ecological sensitivity and recovery from past mining impacts, without opposing mining generally.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 167: EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND

SB 167 transfers the remaining balance of New Mexico's existing Early Childhood Education and Care Fund into a new Early Childhood Trust Fund, expanding its purpose to include prenatal programs and services. It reorganizes funding mechanisms to direct oil and gas revenue (specifically excess annual receipts above a five-year average) into the Trust Fund, with annual distributions of at least $500 million to early childhood programs. The bill also establishes rules for investing the fund's assets and allows limited transfers to the general fund if other reserves are exhausted. The Trust Fund's effective operation depends on voter approval of a constitutional amendment creating it, as noted in the bill's text.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 226: TRUCK TRACTOR MAX SPEED LIMIT

SB 226 establishes a 65 miles per hour maximum speed limit specifically for truck tractors on New Mexico highways. This directly affects commercial truck drivers and operators who operate these vehicles on state roads. The bill amends existing traffic laws to add this speed limit and sets a $250 penalty for violations, which is higher than standard speeding fines for other vehicles. The legislation aims to enhance safety by regulating truck speeds, with the penalty detailed in Section 66-8-116 of the Motor Vehicle Code.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 354: COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVERSION PROJECT

HB 354 creates a six-year pilot program in New Mexico's Behavioral Health Services Division to divert certain individuals from the criminal justice system into community-based treatment and support services. It requires participating local governments (in at least five counties across different judicial districts) to establish pre-arrest diversion for petty misdemeanors and post-arrest options for some misdemeanors, along with mobile crisis response teams and a full range of services - including immediate needs (shelter, food), health care (mental/physical treatment), and long-term support (housing, job help). The program is funded through a new state fund that prioritizes Medicaid dollars for eligible services, with participants required to collect data on outcomes like reduced crime and recidivism. The project mandates regular reporting to legislative committees and a final evaluation by 2031.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Bill results