New Mexico Bills

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 426: REPEAL OBSOLETE SCHOOL PROVISION

SB 426 repeals an outdated 1971 law (Section 22-14-20 NMSA 1978) that established the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped. It transfers the school's responsibilities to the Blind Administrative Unit within the Department of Education's Vocational Rehabilitation Division. This change eliminates an obsolete agency structure and consolidates services for visually impaired individuals under a current administrative unit. The bill aimed to modernize how the state manages these educational services but was postponed indefinitely in the House.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 7: "LOWRIDER DAY"

This Senate Memorial declares February 11, 2025 as "Lowrider Day" in the New Mexico Senate and requests the legislature consider designating the lowrider as New Mexico's official state car. It recognizes lowrider culture as integral to New Mexico's heritage, citing its significance in communities like Albuquerque, Espanola, and Santa Fe. The resolution does not create new law but formally acknowledges cultural traditions and encourages legislative consideration of the state car designation.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 63: STUDY NUCLEAR ENERGY COMMISSION

House Memorial 63 requests New Mexico's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to study creating a nuclear energy commission and related topics. The study would examine repurposing decommissioned power plant sites, reactor safety (including small modular reactors), carbon capture policies, industrial uses of carbon dioxide, and county-level microgrid development. This non-binding resolution, introduced in 2025 and postponed indefinitely by the House committee, does not create new laws but directs state officials to assess nuclear energy's role in the state's renewable energy transition. The study aims to inform future policy decisions affecting New Mexico's energy infrastructure and climate goals.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 259: PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISER REQUIREMENTS

SB 259 amends New Mexico's Charitable Solicitations Act to impose new requirements on professional fundraisers and third-party solicitors who raise money for charities. It directly affects individuals or companies paid to solicit donations or sell nonperishable goods for charitable organizations (excluding religious groups). Key provisions require these entities to register with the Attorney General ($200 fee), post a $25,000 surety bond, and submit detailed contracts outlining compensation, solicitation methods, locations, and materials before working with charities. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in fundraising activities.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 6: STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN

This non-binding joint memorial (HJM 6) expresses New Mexico's legislative support for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan and New Mexico-Taiwan relations. It specifically advocates for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations (like the WHO and UN climate talks), supports ongoing U.S.-Taiwan trade negotiations, and encourages educational exchanges between New Mexico and Taiwan. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations but formally endorses existing efforts, citing New Mexico's $62 million in exports to Taiwan and companies like Admiral Cable operating in the state. The memorial passed the New Mexico House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate in June 2025.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 554: RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDING AUTHORIZATION

This New Mexico bill amends zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) on residential lots and permits multifamily housing (such as duplexes) in commercial areas near transit stops. It requires local governments to permit at least one ADU per residential lot (up to 1,000 sq ft, with specific setbacks), prohibits owner-occupancy rules or extra fees for ADUs, and allows multifamily housing within a quarter-mile of transit hubs or in commercial zones. Homeowners, developers, and local governments are directly affected as they must adjust to these new zoning standards. The law aims to increase housing options by expanding permitted development types without requiring new zoning changes.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 18: COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE SALARIES, CA

HJR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an independent nine-member citizen commission responsible for setting and adjusting New Mexico legislators' salaries. The commission would review salaries every four years, require a five-vote majority for changes, and submit final reports to the secretary of state by October 1, 2028 (and every four years after). This would replace the current method of setting legislative pay, with salaries taking effect in July following report submission. The bill also amends the constitution to specify that legislators receive per diem, mileage, and the commission-set salary as their sole compensation.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 7: PRESIDENT TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

HJM 7 is a non-binding resolution from the New Mexico legislature urging President Trump to uphold the U.S. Constitution and focus on lowering consumer costs, specifically by rescinding tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The resolution cites executive actions it deems unlawful - such as freezing federal grants, pardoning January 6th Capitol rioters, and imposing tariffs that increase costs for New Mexico families - as reasons for the request. It also calls on Congress to take action if the President does not comply, though the resolution itself has no legal force. This memorial expresses New Mexico’s position on federal policy but does not alter any laws or regulations.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 427: REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING

HB 427 amends New Mexico's Water Project Finance Act to prioritize real-time water quality monitoring as a qualifying project for state funding. It authorizes grants (up to $500,000 per application) and loans for water systems or local governments to implement real-time monitoring technology, track drinking water quality data, and report results to the Department of Environment. The bill establishes a total funding cap of $31.5 million for these projects, with the authority required to review the cap by June 2027. It directly affects municipal water providers and public utilities seeking to upgrade monitoring systems under the state's water project fund.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 343: CYFD PLANS OF SAFE CARE FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN

HB 343 requires hospitals and birthing centers to create written "Plans of Safe Care" for newborns affected by prenatal substance exposure (e.g., drugs or alcohol in utero). These plans must be shared with the child’s doctor, a care coordinator (if insured), and the parent/guardian at discharge, outlining needed services like substance use treatment, mental health support, or early intervention. The bill updates reporting rules to ensure hospitals share data about these cases with the Children, Youth and Families Department without triggering child abuse investigations. It directly affects hospitals, newborns with prenatal exposure, and their families by coordinating healthcare and social services post-discharge.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 169: PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT

HB 169, the Public Expression Protection Act, creates a legal shield to dismiss civil lawsuits targeting speech on public issues by allowing defendants to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued, which pauses all other legal proceedings until the motion is resolved. The law applies to communications in government proceedings, speech on public matters, or exercise of free speech rights, but excludes government employees acting officially, public safety enforcement, and business sales communications (while protecting creative works like journalism). If the court rules the speech is protected and the plaintiff fails to show the law doesn’t apply, the case is dismissed without trial. This bill directly affects individuals, journalists, activists, and organizations engaging in public discourse by making it easier to end lawsuits that could suppress such speech.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SR 2: CHANGE & REPEAL VARIOUS SENATE RULES

Senate Resolution 2 is a procedural bill that updates internal Senate rules, not a policy bill affecting the public. It modifies how the New Mexico Senate operates by requiring daily online posting of committee bills, allowing senators to request excusal from votes before voting begins, and removing outdated rules (like mandatory weekly committee meetings or requiring committee chairs to be appointed by senior members). Key changes include enabling senators to solicit campaign contributions during sessions and updating procedures for committee scheduling and document distribution. As a rules resolution, it directly affects only Senate members and staff, not constituents or public policy. The bill passed committee but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Bill results