New Mexico Bills

vetoed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 13: STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACT SCHOOLS ACT

SB 13 establishes a legal framework for New Mexico to create state-tribal education compact schools operated by tribal nations. It authorizes the Public Education Department to enter into agreements with tribes to establish schools focused on language and cultural preservation, requiring tribes to submit a resolution and application detailing grade levels and compliance. The bill exempts these schools from certain state laws and rules while allowing them to access state and federal funding, and it mandates a five-year compact term with provisions for compliance, dispute resolution, and reporting. This directly affects tribal nations in New Mexico seeking to operate culturally rooted schools within the public education system.

Topics ✓ Education

vetoed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 480: STUDENT GRADUATION REPORTING

SB 480 would require New Mexico's Public Education Department to create an annual report by July 15 each year listing all students who have not graduated from high school within four years of entering ninth grade. This report would be shared with adult education providers, workforce development programs, and school districts that help students earn high school diplomas or equivalency credentials (like a GED). The bill defines "out-of-cohort students" as those not graduating within four years of ninth grade. The goal is to provide targeted data to help these programs better support students who fall behind.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 14, 2025

HJR 2: ELIMINATE POCKET VETOES, CA

HJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate New Mexico's "pocket veto" power, meaning bills passed by the legislature automatically become law if the governor fails to act within three days (excluding Sundays). It also requires the governor to provide written explanations for any veto, whether partial or complete. This directly affects the governor and legislature by increasing legislative accountability and transparency in the veto process. The amendment would take effect only after voter approval at the next general election.

vetoed · New Mexico · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 199: TAX RETURN INFO FOR LFC EVALUATION

HB 199 allows New Mexico's tax department to share aggregated taxpayer return information (without personally identifiable details) with the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) staff. It enables the LFC to evaluate state or local government programs with fiscal impacts, such as budget proposals or policy initiatives. The bill requires the department and LFC to establish security protocols via a memorandum of understanding, limits shared data to aggregated figures (not individual returns), and mandates confidentiality safeguards. This change directly affects LFC staff and tax department employees, who must follow strict protocols when handling the information. The bill does not alter tax laws but creates a new, limited exception to taxpayer confidentiality for budget analysis.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 157: NEW SCHOOL LICENSES

HB 157 creates new licensing requirements for school administrators in New Mexico, including site administrators (such as principals and assistant principals) and superintendents. The bill sets higher qualifications and standards for these licenses and establishes a new School Administrator Development Act to guide training and certification. It also delays the repeal of existing administrator licenses, allowing current license holders to continue working while transitioning to the new system. This bill directly affects school administrators, school districts, and state agencies that employ them.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 352: CLOSE & RELOCATE CERTAIN MAGISTRATE COURTS

HB 352 reorganizes New Mexico's magistrate courts by closing certain local offices and consolidating operations in specific districts. It merges divisions in Grant (moving all operations to Silver City by 2027), relocates San Juan District courts from Farmington to Aztec (effective 2027), and adjusts locations for courts in McKinley, Santa Fe, Torrance, Dona Ana, and Lea counties. The bill changes where judges hold court sessions, modifies election districts for magistrate judges, and updates travel routes for judges serving satellite locations. These changes directly affect court operations and accessibility for residents in the affected counties.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 133: EDUCATIONAL RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK

SB 133 increases the salary threshold for retired New Mexico educators returning to work without suspending their retirement benefits, from $15,000 to $25,000 annually. It directly affects retired teachers and school staff who want to return to part-time or full-time employment with school districts or related entities. The bill allows them to keep retirement benefits if they earn under $25,000 per year, provided they haven't worked for 90 days after retirement and have no pre-arranged employment agreements. This change simplifies the process for retirees seeking limited return-to-work opportunities while maintaining contribution requirements for health care and retirement funds.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 487: PROTECTION OF HISPANIC EDUCATION

HB 487 amends New Mexico's Hispanic Education Act to explicitly protect and preserve the state's heritage Spanish language and culture as part of the law's purpose. It requires the Hispanic Education Advisory Council to meet at biannual Hispanic Education Summits and allows council members to receive travel and daily allowances (per diem and mileage) for their service. The bill directly affects the advisory council, public schools, and educational institutions serving Hispanic students across New Mexico. Key provisions update the act's goals to include cultural preservation and formalize council meeting requirements with compensation for members. The changes aim to strengthen collaboration between schools, communities, and policymakers to support Hispanic student success.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 9: PIPELINE SAFETY ACT VIOLATIONS CIVIL PENALTY

I notice a discrepancy in your request: you've listed the bill title as "PIPELINE SAFETY ACT VIOLATIONS CIVIL PENALTY" but the provided bill text is actually about medical licensure, not pipeline safety. The bill text describes the "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact" that would allow physicians to more easily obtain licenses to practice medicine across multiple states. This bill would establish a compact with other states to create a streamlined process for physicians to get licenses in multiple states while maintaining patient safety. It defines eligibility requirements for physicians seeking expedited licensure, including having a full and unrestricted license in a "state of principal license" and meeting specific professional standards. The compact would allow physicians to practice medicine in multiple states without needing separate licenses for each state, while still requiring physicians to be licensed in the state where the patient is located during treatment. It does not change existing medical practice acts but creates a new pathway for licensure. This bill affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines and state medical boards that choose to participate in the compact. The bill is currently pending in the Senate committees as of October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 345: TEACHER & INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT LICENSURE

SB 345 allows new teachers in New Mexico to use a portfolio instead of standardized exams to earn a Level One teaching license. It also creates reciprocity for instructional support staff (like counselors or librarians) who hold licenses in other states, enabling them to obtain Level Two or Three New Mexico licenses if they meet experience and competency requirements. The bill directly affects new teachers seeking initial certification and out-of-state instructional support staff aiming to work in New Mexico schools. Key mechanisms include replacing exam requirements with portfolio assessments for Level One licensure and establishing clear pathways for reciprocal licensing based on existing credentials.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 48: COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

SB 48 creates a $340 million Community Benefit Fund in New Mexico’s state treasury, funded by a transfer from the general fund. The fund finances projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (with specific standards for buildings and methane leaks), modernize the electric grid, expand renewable energy, reduce combustion vehicle use, address climate impacts, support electric vehicle infrastructure, and develop economic opportunities tied to climate transition. Projects must include community engagement with overburdened communities (e.g., two public meetings or a negotiated agreement) and prioritize worker training for emerging climate-related industries. The fund requires annual progress reports to legislative committees, with spending focused on measurable environmental and economic outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 156: INCREASE EDUCATIONAL SALARIES

HB 156 increases minimum annual salaries for non-vocational teachers in New Mexico public schools at three licensure levels. It raises the base salary for level one teachers from $50,000 to $55,000, for level two teachers from $60,000 to $65,000, and for level three-A teachers from $70,000 (to a higher amount). The changes apply to standard nine-and-one-half-month contracts and affect all public school districts, excluding vocational education teachers from these increases. The bill directly impacts classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators holding these specific licenses.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results