New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 24: CHIMAYO PILGRIMAGE, IN RECOGNITION

This Senate Memorial (SM 24) formally recognizes the historical and cultural significance of El Santuario de Chimayo and the Chimayo Pilgrimage to the people of New Mexico. It acknowledges the site's origins with Tewa and Pueblo communities, its 1816 chapel construction, the pilgrimage's growth since WWII, and its current role as a major interfaith site attracting over 300,000 annual visitors. The memorial does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic state acknowledgment of this longstanding cultural and religious tradition. It directs the Senate to transmit a copy to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 1: WATER & WASTEWATER OPERATORS

HJM 1 is a non-binding resolution urging New Mexico's legislature to recognize certified water and wastewater operators as essential workers and fund a study on adding them to state health insurance and retirement programs. It highlights their critical role in maintaining safe drinking water (removing contaminants like lead and PFAS) and treating wastewater to protect ecosystems and public health. The resolution does not create new laws but requests legislative action to elevate their status and explore benefits. It directly affects certified operators who manage water infrastructure but does not change current policies.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 9: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTERIM COMMITTEE

HJM 9 is a procedural joint memorial requesting the New Mexico Legislative Council to create a special interim committee focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy. The committee would examine AI's impact on industries, government, and daily life - including concerns about bias, security, and workforce changes - and address New Mexico's lack of comprehensive data privacy laws. It would hold hearings, gather stakeholder input from businesses, consumers, and experts, and develop recommendations for future legislation in 2026. This bill does not create new laws but sets up a process to inform potential future regulations affecting residents, businesses, and state agencies. The committee's work would align with national trends while reflecting New Mexico's unique needs, such as its technology sector and national laboratories.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 394: CLEAN ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

HB 394 creates a 17-member Clean Energy and Natural Resources Advisory Board within New Mexico's Energy Department, appointed by the Energy Secretary with gubernatorial approval. The board includes specific industry experts (e.g., renewable energy, oil/gas, forestry, academia) to provide annual advice to the Energy Secretary, governor, and legislative committees on clean energy implementation. It requires biannual meetings, establishes subcommittees, and is funded with $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the Senate on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 254: CYBERSECURITY ACT & OFFICE CHANGES

SB 254 proposes renaming New Mexico's "Cybersecurity Office" to the "Office of Cybersecurity" and places it under the Department of Information Technology, managed by a Security Officer. The bill requires this office to establish minimum security standards for all state agencies, develop centralized incident response plans for major breaches (affecting over 10,000 residents or involving nation-state actors), and create a unified data breach reporting process. It also revises the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee's membership to include specific representation from counties, municipalities, tribal governments, healthcare, education, and private cybersecurity experts. These changes directly affect state agencies, local governments, and tribal entities by standardizing cybersecurity practices and reporting requirements across New Mexico's public sector.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 208: HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE VOTER REGISTRATION

HB 208 allows New Mexico residents applying for a hunting or fishing license at the Department of Game and Fish to register to vote simultaneously. It adds the department of game and fish to existing state agencies (like motor vehicle offices) where eligible voters can register or update their registration during service interactions. The bill requires the department to appoint license vendors to accept voter registration forms, with all registrations transmitted to election officials within 10 days. This policy change directly affects people seeking hunting/fishing licenses who are not already registered to vote, expanding access points for voter registration without altering voting rights or requirements.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 21: LAND GRANT-MERCED ASSISTANCE FUND CHANGES

HB 21 changes the revenue thresholds that determine the percentage of annual distributions land grant-merced communities receive from New Mexico's Land Grant-Mercy Assistance Fund. The bill adjusts the income levels qualifying for full (100%), 75%, 50%, or 25% distributions and makes the fund nonreverting, meaning any remaining balance at year-end stays in the fund instead of reverting to the general fund. This directly affects land grant-merced communities meeting compliance requirements under the fund's rules. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 4: "ALS AWARENESS DAY"

This Senate Memorial (SM 4) proposes declaring February 18, 2025, as "ALS Awareness Day" in the New Mexico Senate. It symbolically recognizes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease, and acknowledges the impact on patients, families, and organizations like ALS New Mexico that support affected individuals. The bill does not create new policies or funding but aims to raise public awareness and honor local efforts, including the work of ALS New Mexico and the Grange family. As a non-binding resolution, it directly affects awareness efforts for New Mexicans living with ALS and their communities.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 570: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT CHANGES

HB 570 prohibits health insurers in New Mexico from requiring prior authorization for specific covered services, including chemotherapy, dialysis, elder care, and home health care. It also removes prior authorization requirements for prescription medications treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or substance use disorders - unless a biosimilar, interchangeable biologic, or generic alternative is available. Insurers may still request post-service notifications and treatment plans compliant with federal law. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking these covered services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 18: CPA WORKFORCE CRISIS SOLUTIONS

This bill (HM 18) is a House Memorial requesting New Mexico’s state auditor to create a task force addressing the shortage of certified public accountants (CPAs) in the state. The task force, including state departments and stakeholders like the American Institute of CPAs, will study solutions such as integrating accounting into STEM education, expanding K-12 and college programs, and improving workforce training. It specifically aims to tackle barriers like the 150-hour education requirement and declining interest in accounting careers, with recommendations due by November 2025. The bill directly affects New Mexico’s CPA workforce, accounting employers, and students pursuing accounting careers.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 371: OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLES ON ROADS

HB 371 allows local and county governments in New Mexico to authorize off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) like ATVs to operate on paved streets and highways within their boundaries, subject to specific safety requirements. It mandates that authorized OHVs must have headlights, taillights, brakes, mirrors, mufflers, valid operator licenses, insurance, eye protection, and helmets for minors under 18. Local authorities may also set separate speed limits and operating restrictions for these vehicles. The bill does not require authorization but provides a framework for communities to permit OHV use on public roads while maintaining safety standards.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 4: DIRECT AIR CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY

HJM 4 is a Joint Memorial requesting the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to study direct air capture (DAC) technology's benefits, costs, and potential for industry development in New Mexico. The study would evaluate how to facilitate DAC through statutory and regulatory changes, focusing on economic opportunities like job creation and climate action. It does not create new law but asks the institute to report recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This procedural request aims to support DAC development using New Mexico's geologic and resource advantages.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results