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.
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.
HB 212, the "Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act," prohibits the sale in New Mexico of consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of items like food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, carpets, and cleaning products. The bill requires these products to disclose PFAS content and undergo testing, while authorizing the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt specific rules banning PFAS in certain products. Violations could result in penalties, though the law allows for "currently unavoidable uses" where alternatives aren't available.
HB 158 creates the Military Base Impact Fund to provide grants for infrastructure projects in communities near military bases affected by potential closures, relocations, or job losses. It directly supports "defense communities" (municipalities, counties, or special districts within a 45-minute commute of a military base) by funding projects that help retain military facilities, replace lost defense jobs, or attract new defense-related employers. Grants cover up to 90% of project costs for infrastructure like roads, utilities, or facilities, with annual funding capped at $4 million. The bill repeals outdated military planning offices and requires the state to report on how funds are used to support military base economic stability.
HB 368 amends New Mexico's high-wage jobs tax credit program by updating the definition of "threshold job" to clarify eligibility. It allows businesses to claim an 8.5% tax credit on wages for new high-wage jobs, capped at $12,750 per job annually. Employers must certify specific details like employee wages, job location, and workforce changes when applying. The bill was signed into law in April 2025, making these changes effective for tax credit applications.
HB 336 allows retired state employees who were peace officers to return to state work without the usual 12-month waiting period required for most retirees. Specifically, it amends retirement rules to exempt retired peace officers from the standard waiting period when rejoining the state as employees with peace officer powers. During reemployment, their pension is suspended but resumes upon leaving the position. This change directly affects retired peace officers employed by the state who wish to return to roles involving law enforcement authority. The bill updates existing retirement provisions without altering pension benefits or creating new financial obligations.
HB 398 extends the required examination timeline for Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and their contracted healthcare providers in New Mexico from every three years to every five years. This change directly affects HMOs and the healthcare providers they contract with, reducing the frequency of regulatory reviews they must undergo. The key provision modifies Section 59A-46-19 of the New Mexico Insurance Code to update the examination schedule while maintaining the requirement for HMOs to submit records and cooperate with exams. The bill aims to reduce administrative burden on these entities while still requiring regular oversight for consumer protection.
SB 267 requires landlords in New Mexico to clearly disclose all application fees to housing applicants and refund these fees if the application is rejected. It also mandates landlords to notify applicants of upcoming fee increases and extends the required notice period for rent hikes. The bill reduces the maximum allowable late fee and expands renters' legal options for resolving disputes. This law directly affects renters applying for housing and landlords managing rental properties, taking effect after being signed into law on April 9, 2025.
HB 78 prohibits New Mexico drug manufacturers and their affiliates from discriminating against entities participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program. It directly affects community health centers, hospitals, and clinics that serve low-income patients and their contracted pharmacies, ensuring they can access discounted drugs without interference. The law specifically bans manufacturers from denying, restricting, or interfering with the acquisition or delivery of 340B drugs to these entities or requiring extra data sharing beyond federal requirements. Signed into law on April 9, 2025, this bill enforces compliance with federal 340B program rules at the state level.
SB 146 corrects an outdated reference to U.S. code in New Mexico’s law regarding the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This procedural bill updates the state statute to align with the existing interstate agreement but does not create new policies or protections for military children. The compact itself - already in place across multiple states - aims to ease school transitions for military-connected students by standardizing record transfers, course credits, and enrollment rules. New Mexico’s update ensures its law matches the federal reference without altering how military families access educational support.
HB 456 increases spending limits for state agencies and local public bodies when contracting for architectural/engineering services and construction projects. It raises the maximum annual spending per contractor from $7.5 million to $15 million over four years for design services, and from $12.5 million to $30 million over ten years for construction. The bill also requires agencies to report contract spending details quarterly to the General Services Department. This change allows for larger, more flexible contracts while maintaining oversight of public spending.
SB 120 permanently eliminates copays and coinsurance for behavioral health services in New Mexico. It applies to all group health plans, individual insurance policies, and health maintenance organizations sold in the state that cover mental health, substance abuse, and trauma treatment. The law removes all cost-sharing requirements - including fixed copays, percentage-based coinsurance, and deductibles - for services like therapy, inpatient care, medication (including brand-name drugs when generics aren’t available), and residential treatment. This change affects all health plans offering behavioral health coverage, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees for these services. The bill amends multiple sections of New Mexico’s Health Care Purchasing Act and Insurance Code to make this elimination permanent, extending beyond the previous 2027 sunset date.
