New Mexico Bills

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 70: ADD RACKETEERING CRIMES

SB 70 expands New Mexico's Racketeering Act by adding 37 specific crimes to the definition of "racketeering," including trafficking cannabis products (Section 26-2C-28), sexual exploitation of children, dog fighting, and criminal sexual contact. This change allows prosecutors to pursue racketeering charges against individuals or groups engaging in these offenses as part of a pattern of criminal activity. The bill directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal enterprises by broadening the scope of offenses that qualify for racketeering prosecutions under existing penalties. It does not create new penalties but clarifies which crimes can trigger the Racketeering Act's provisions, such as forfeiture of assets gained through illegal activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 59: PUBLIC WORKS MINIMUM WAGE DEFINITIONS

SB 59 adds "off-site fabricators" to New Mexico's Public Works Minimum Wage Act. This means workers who prefabricate components like ductwork for public projects (e.g., schools, roads) must now receive the same minimum wage and fringe benefits as on-site laborers and mechanics. The bill requires contractors to pay prevailing wages determined by the labor division based on collective bargaining agreements for these workers, with rates posted at project sites and payroll records maintained. It directly affects contractors and fabricators working on public projects over $60,000, ensuring they meet the same wage standards as other construction workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 218: TAX CHANGES

HB 218 updates New Mexico's tax code to remove outdated provisions and streamline processes. It allows taxpayers to file quarterly or semiannually (instead of annually) for certain taxes, simplifies refund claims by treating a completed return as a refund filing, and eliminates Attorney General approval for refunds over $20,000. The bill also aligns local government tax collection for redevelopment projects with "destination sourcing" (taxing where goods/services are consumed) and clarifies oil/gas tax rules. These changes directly affect taxpayers, businesses, and local governments managing redevelopment funds.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 6: IRB PROJECT MINIMUM WAGE

HB 6 requires contractors working on municipal or county projects funded by industrial revenue bonds to pay workers the local prevailing wage and benefits, directly affecting construction workers on these projects over $60,000. It mandates that wage rates be based on collective bargaining agreements for similar work in the area, with the director determining rates annually by October 1. The law requires contractors to post wage rates publicly, withhold payments if underpaid, and allows workers to file complaints for unpaid wages, with investigations completed within 75 days. This amendment to New Mexico’s Public Works Minimum Wage Act ensures fair pay standards for workers on publicly funded construction projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 252: KINSHIP CAREGIVER SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAM

HB 252 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico to support kinship caregivers - such as grandparents, relatives, or emotionally significant non-relatives raising children - across five specified counties (Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, McKinley, and Dona Ana). The program provides economic support through community partners, referrals to services like legal assistance for custody or guardianship, and access to public benefits, with eligibility based on household income and child needs. It allocates $4.5 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2026-2028 to cover staff, legal aid, and program administration. The department must report annually on the pilot’s impact and outcomes to the legislative finance committee.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 54: DEFIBRILLATORS IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL

HB 54 requires every high school in New Mexico to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) by January 1, 2026, and maintain them according to manufacturer guidelines. The bill also mandates annual AED training for all high school employees, following American Heart Association standards, to ensure staff can use the devices during cardiac emergencies. This law directly affects all public and private high schools and their employees across the state. HB 54 was signed into law on April 10, 2025, after passing both chambers of the legislature.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 168: TRAVEL INSURANCE ACT

SB 168, the Travel Insurance Act, creates new rules for travel insurance sold to New Mexico residents or delivered in the state. It directly affects insurance companies, travel agencies, and "eligible groups" like schools, employers, tour operators, and tour operators who sell group travel insurance. The law defines key terms (such as "group travel insurance" and "eligible group"), requires clear disclosure of coverage details, and specifies that the Act overrides conflicting general insurance laws. It explicitly excludes cancellation fee waivers and travel assistance services from its requirements.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 140: "HAZARDOUS WASTE CONSTITUENT" DEFINITION

HB 140 adds a formal definition of "hazardous waste constituent" to New Mexico's Hazardous Waste Act. This definition identifies specific chemicals meeting the hazardous waste criteria (per Section 74-4-3(K)) that the Environmental Improvement Board has determined require cleanup under the Act. The bill amends the board's duties to include identifying these constituents, ensuring consistent application of cleanup requirements. It directly affects the Environmental Improvement Board, waste handlers, and facilities managing hazardous substances by clarifying which materials trigger mandatory corrective actions. The change creates a standardized process but does not alter existing hazardous waste management rules.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 240: DRINKING WATER SYSTEM GRANTS & LOANS

HB 240 expands New Mexico's drinking water funding by allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide grants (not just loans) for constructing or rehabilitating drinking water facilities. It directly affects local water systems, including municipalities, counties, water districts, and community water providers. Key changes include extending loan repayment periods, requiring annual reports from the Finance Authority and Environment Department, and renewing the authority to transfer up to one-third of certain grants into revolving loan funds. The bill modifies existing law to streamline access to capital for water infrastructure upgrades while maintaining federal compliance requirements.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 171: PHARMACY CUSTODIAL CARE FACILITIES

HB 171 allows licensed custodial care facilities providing medically monitored withdrawal management to legally stock and possess certain controlled substances (specifically those in Schedules III-V under federal law). This applies only to facilities with a consulting pharmacist overseeing care and 24/7 nursing staff on-site year-round. The bill amends New Mexico's Pharmacy Act to authorize these facilities to maintain the necessary medications for withdrawal management directly on-site. It does not change patient eligibility or treatment protocols, but streamlines access to specific controlled drugs for approved facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 357: ESSENTIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT ACT

SB 357, the Essential Services Development Act, enables the New Mexico state government to provide financial and technical support for infrastructure projects delivering internet, energy, water, and wastewater services primarily to residential areas. Local governments (cities, towns, counties) and regional government groups must first adopt a development plan detailing project goals, eligibility criteria, and review processes before receiving state assistance. The state’s Department of Finance and Administration will oversee the program, ensuring public funds are used appropriately and that new internet projects avoid duplicating existing federally compliant services. This act directly affects communities seeking to expand essential utility access, requiring structured planning but offering state support for qualifying residential infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 280: NMMI IN CAPITAL OUTLAY ACT

SB 280 adds the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) to the list of "constitutional special schools" under New Mexico's Public School Capital Outlay Act. This change directly affects NMMI by making it eligible for state funding to support school facility improvements, such as building systems and infrastructure. The bill amends the legal definition of "constitutional special schools" to include NMMI alongside the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the New Mexico School for the Deaf. This is a procedural update to the existing funding law, ensuring NMMI qualifies for capital outlay funding like other designated special schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results