HB 226 increases New Mexico's rural health care practitioner tax credit, raising the maximum credit from $5,000 to $15,000 for physicians, dentists, and similar providers (working 1,584+ hours in rural underserved areas), and from $3,000 to $9,000 for nurses, therapists, and other health professionals (also requiring 1,584+ hours). Practitioners must work at least 792 hours to qualify for half the credit amount. To claim the credit, providers must apply to the Department of Health for certification, which is then submitted with their tax return; excess credits can be carried forward for up to three years. The bill applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and requires the credit to be included in the state's tax expenditure budget.
SB 136 creates a $5 million nonreverting fund to provide grants for firearm detection software at New Mexico public schools. The bill directly affects all public school districts and charter schools, allowing them to apply for funding to purchase software meeting six specific requirements: detecting unholstered firearms, integrating with existing security systems, meeting federal anti-terrorism standards, having U.S.-developed proprietary technology, and being evidence-based or previously used by schools or government entities. The fund is administered by the Public Education Department, with unspent money carrying forward to future years. This bill makes a concrete policy change by establishing dedicated state funding for schools to adopt specific security technology.
SB 65, the Consumer Solar Protection Act, protects homeowners who install residential solar energy systems by preventing unfair practices from sellers and installers. It prohibits misleading claims (like calling systems "free" or government-sponsored), requires paper copies of contracts upon request, and bans requesting power of attorney. Crucially, it ensures homeowners pay nothing for solar systems that aren’t generating electricity within 90 days of installation, and payments must be refunded if the system fails. Violations could trigger $1,000 penalties per incident, with potential triple damages for willful violations.
HB 484 would exempt tips received by New Mexico residents as compensation for services (like from restaurant servers or bartenders) from state income tax calculations. This directly affects workers in tipped occupations who currently have tips counted toward their taxable income. The bill creates a new tax exemption allowing these workers to exclude tip earnings from their taxable income starting in 2025. The policy change would reduce the state income tax burden for eligible service industry workers. The bill was referred to relevant committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
SB 331 requires individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses (including assault against household members and repeated battery) to complete an approved domestic violence offender treatment program administered by New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department. The bill also changes probation rules: if an offender violates probation conditions after a suspended or deferred sentence, they cannot receive credit for time served on probation, and the court may impose the original sentence. This applies to convictions under amended sections of New Mexico law covering assault, aggravated assault, and multiple offenses against household members. The bill directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Mexico who receive probation for these crimes, mandating treatment participation and altering probation enforcement.
SB 179 requires landlords and property advertisers to clearly disclose key terms of rental-purchase agreements for properties listed online. It mandates that online listings state whether the agreement is a rental-purchase deal, show the total number and amount of payments needed to own the item, and clarify that renters gain no ownership until all payments are made. This applies directly to online property advertisers and renters viewing such listings, replacing physical tags with electronic disclosures displayed before other required information. The bill aims to increase transparency for consumers shopping for rental-purchase options online.
HB 385 would require certain sex offenders released on parole to undergo chemical castration treatment using hormonal drugs (like medroxyprogesterone acetate) as a condition of parole. It applies specifically to individuals convicted of severe offenses including aggravated criminal sexual penetration, child exploitation, or sexual contact with minors, as defined in the bill. Parolees must begin treatment before release, pay for it (though parole cannot be denied for inability to pay), and share medical records with the parole board. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not become law.
HB 55 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to set a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate of $23.50 per hour for personal care services. It mandates that at least 70% of this reimbursement must directly fund wages and benefits for direct care workers (like home health aides), excluding costs for training or equipment. The bill appropriates $20.8 million to update Medicaid reimbursement rates for fiscal year 2026. This directly affects personal care service agencies and the workers providing in-home care to Medicaid recipients.
SB 501 creates a special "Make-A-Wish New Mexico" license plate available to vehicle owners starting January 2026 for a $30 initial fee plus $30 annual renewal. Revenue from these fees is split: $12 covers plate manufacturing, while $18 plus all renewal fees fund health programs supporting children with life-threatening illnesses. The program includes a sunset provision - starting July 2031, the state may discontinue the plate if annual sales drop below 50% of the average from 2026-2031. This directly affects New Mexico vehicle owners who choose to purchase the plate, with funds directed to health services for pediatric patients.
HB 242, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, would allow New Mexico psychologists to provide telepsychology services across state lines and offer temporary in-person care (up to 30 days yearly) in other participating states without needing full licensure there. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses, requires shared access to disciplinary records via a coordinated database, and creates standardized certifications like the E.Passport for cross-state practice. This bill directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to provide services beyond New Mexico and their clients in states that adopt the compact. The compact aims to expand access to psychological care while maintaining public safety through coordinated licensing oversight among participating states. (Note: The bill is pending, having been postponed indefinitely in the Senate on June 3, 2025.)
HB 367 increases the required live race days for racetracks to maintain their gaming licenses. Racetracks paying $8 million or less in gaming taxes last year must host at least 15 weeks of racing with three live race days per week (minimum 10 races daily). Racetracks paying over $8 million must host 15 weeks with four live race days per week (minimum nine races daily). This bill directly affects licensed racetracks in New Mexico by adjusting their operational requirements for license renewal. The change modifies Section 60-1A-2 of the Horse Racing Act to update these minimums.
SB 330 would increase prison sentences for specific felony crimes committed to benefit a criminal street gang. If proven beyond a reasonable doubt, defendants convicted of 29 listed offenses (including murder, assault, robbery, drug trafficking, and aggravated battery) would face mandatory extra prison time: 1-8 additional years based on the felony's severity. The enhancements run consecutively and cannot be suspended, applying only when the crime was committed "for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with" a gang. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of these gang-linked crimes in New Mexico, with the changes set to take effect July 1, 2025.
