SB 350 appropriates $6 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Health Care Authority for a housing stabilization program targeting people transitioning from incarceration or homelessness back into community housing. The funding, effective in fiscal year 2026, will directly support housing needs for this reentry population through a dedicated program administered by the Health Care Authority. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2026 must revert to the general fund. The bill was referred to committees, passed committee review, but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
HB 537 requires New Mexico's public colleges and universities (excluding specialized institutions like the military academy) to appoint a full-time staff member as a "homeless student liaison" starting in 2026. The liaison must identify students experiencing homelessness (using FAFSA data), connect them with campus and community resources for basic needs, assist with financial aid applications, and help manage coursework. The bill also mandates training for faculty/staff to recognize homelessness and requires the Higher Education Department to administer annual student surveys on homelessness. It appropriates $500,000 for training and survey costs in fiscal year 2026.
SB 232 appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to fund master planning for permanently affordable housing on publicly owned undeveloped properties in Albuquerque's Sawmill district. The funds, to be spent in fiscal years 2026-2027, are specifically for contracting a planning process to develop housing options. This bill directly affects Albuquerque residents seeking affordable housing and the city government managing the Sawmill district properties. The legislation does not create housing but allocates resources for the initial planning phase, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2027.
HB 381 establishes a legal presumption that defendants charged with specific dangerous felonies must remain in pretrial detention unless they prove otherwise. It directly affects individuals facing 16 listed serious offenses (including murder, sexual assault, armed robbery, and firearm-related crimes) by shifting the burden of proof: prosecutors must first show by strong evidence the defendant poses a danger and no release conditions can protect the community, after which the defendant must rebut this presumption. The bill requires an adversarial hearing where the defendant must demonstrate they are not dangerous or that safe release conditions exist. This bill is currently pending (postponed indefinitely in June 2025) and would change pretrial detention procedures in New Mexico courts.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a 50% property tax exemption for primary residences of emergency first responders in New Mexico. It applies to active responders who have completed a probationary period and worked at least one year, as well as retired responders who received a full pension (100% of their final average salary). The exemption requires the property to be the responder's primary residence. If approved by voters, this would change state tax law to specifically support emergency personnel through property tax relief.
SB 418 creates a tax credit for New Mexico taxpayers who build qualified microgrids in underserved communities (defined as areas with median income near the federal poverty level) by January 1, 2031. The credit covers up to $100,000 of construction and installation costs for microgrids that must generate at least 20 megawatts and operate independently from the main grid. Taxpayers must apply for certification within one year of installation, and the credit can be used against income tax liability, with unused portions carried forward for up to 20 years or transferred to another taxpayer. This policy directly affects businesses and organizations building microgrids in designated underserved areas to support localized energy resilience.
HB 129 reduces the probation period for New Mexico state public employees from one year to 180 days. It directly affects all state employees hired into classified positions, changing their initial probationary requirement. The bill also prohibits requiring additional probation if an employee transfers to a different state service assignment. This change amends Section 10-9-13 of New Mexico's Personnel Act, specifically modifying the probation duration and transfer rules. The legislation passed the House in February 2025 but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
HB 444 transfers the New Mexico Athletic Commission's authority from its current structure to the Regulation and Licensing Department. It expands the commission from five to seven members, replaces the Medical Advisory Board with a Medical Advisory Committee, adds new licensing categories for fighters and events, and adjusts fees dedicated to the athletic commission fund. This bill directly affects athletic commission members, promoters, professional fighters (including boxers and mixed martial artists), and event coordinators by changing oversight and operational requirements. The bill, which passed the House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate committee in June 2025, aims to streamline regulation under a single department.
SB 332 allocates $5 million from the state general fund to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District for wildfire prevention work between fiscal years 2026 and 2031. The funds will directly support specific measures like underbrush cleanup, tree thinning, and cattle grazing to reduce wildfire risks in the region. Any unspent funds after 2031 must revert to the general fund. The bill passed committee but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
This bill changes the penalty for making a shooting threat from a misdemeanor to a fourth-degree felony. It defines a "shooting threat" as intentionally communicating intent to use a firearm to cause fear, disrupt public buildings, or trigger emergency responses. Courts must now order convicted individuals to pay victims for economic harm, including lost wages, business shutdown costs, or employee pay during disruptions. The bill directly affects people who make such threats and victims who suffer financial losses due to the threats.
HB 464 prohibits New Mexico public schools from denying enrollment to school-age students based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or residential address. It requires school districts to determine and publicly post school capacity by grade level every 12 weeks, enroll applicants on a first-come, first-served basis when space is available, and report enrollment data annually to the public education department. The bill limits school boards' ability to create enrollment preferences beyond existing categories (like military families) and mandates transparency through online vacancy postings. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
SB 317 creates the Youth Internship Opportunity Program in New Mexico for 16- to 18-year-olds, prioritizing low-income, at-risk, and underserved youth enrolled in career technical education. The program provides registered internships/apprenticeships in high-demand fields (healthcare, IT, agriculture, trades) with employers paying participants $15-$17 per hour for up to 400 hours, covered by America’s Job Center New Mexico. Participants must achieve skills/certifications under employer mentors, while centers track outcomes, collect data, and submit annual reports to the legislature. The program is funded by a $25 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal years 2025-2027.
