New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 7: REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE

Senate Memorial 7, introduced by Senator Natalie Figueroa, requests the New Mexico Legislative Council to create a 13-15 member redistricting task force to improve the state’s redistricting process. The task force must include diverse representation - four legislators, political party chairs, and public members reflecting New Mexico’s demographics, with specific requirements for tribal representation and non-partisan members - to study past issues like court costs ($9M), lack of diversity in past committees, and non-binding maps. It will examine other states’ approaches and propose concrete changes, including potential legislation, by December 2027. This memorial does not change current law but aims to enhance public input and fairness in redrawing voting districts.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 85: MEDICAL PROVIDER LOAN-FOR-SERVICE PGMS

HB 85 creates a program to increase healthcare providers in New Mexico's underserved areas by offering loan repayment and loan-for-service agreements. It establishes a Medical Provider Recruitment Trust Fund (initially funded with $5 million from the general fund) that invests money and distributes 5% of its annual value to a separate Program Fund. This Program Fund, supported by an additional $1 million annual appropriation, provides financial assistance to physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses who agree to work in designated underserved communities. Priority is given to applicants who graduated from New Mexico state universities or bordering states universities and to those specializing in primary care.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 88: FOSTER PARENT TAX CREDIT

SB 88 creates a New Mexico income tax credit for foster parents and legal guardians caring for children. It provides a $500 monthly credit (up to $6,000 annually) for qualifying individuals who are licensed foster parents or court-appointed guardians of a child under 18. To claim the credit, applicants must get certification from the Children, Youth and Families Department, and only one credit per household is allowed per year. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and any excess credit beyond tax liability will be refunded.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 89: TAX HOLIDAY FOR HUNTING & FISHING SUPPLIES

SB 89 creates a sales tax exemption for qualifying hunting and fishing supplies purchased in New Mexico between September 8 and December 31 each year. It covers specific low-cost items like fishing tackle ($5 or less individually), camping gear ($30 or less), fishing rods ($75 or less individually), and firearms/ammo, with price limits defined in the bill. This directly benefits New Mexico residents buying these items during the holiday period, as retailers can deduct these sales from their tax obligations. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, and excludes franchise business sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 48: NM TECH SEISMOLOGY EQUIPMENT

HB 48 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech) for seismology equipment and expanding earthquake monitoring capabilities. The funding supports the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at NM Tech, working with the Oil Conservation Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The bill requires all funds to be spent by the end of fiscal year 2027, with any unspent money reverting to the general fund. This directly affects NM Tech's geoscience operations and state agencies responsible for monitoring seismic activity and oil industry compliance. The measure focuses on upgrading physical equipment and network infrastructure for earthquake detection.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 135: REVISE LFC MEMBERSHIP

SB 135 revises the membership structure of New Mexico's Legislative Finance Committee (LFC). It reduces the total committee size from 16 to 15 members, adjusts the appointment process for house members (from six to five), and clarifies rules for minority representation and vacancy fills. The bill requires appointments to maintain proportional party representation within each chamber and specifies that committee chairs alternate between the Senate and House every two years. This procedural bill affects only the committee's composition and appointment procedures, with no substantive policy changes.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 163: DENIAL OF BAIL FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES

HB 163 designates specific felony offenses, including murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, and firearm-related crimes, as "dangerous or violent" for bail hearings. For defendants charged with these offenses, the court must presume that releasing them would not protect the community, requiring the defendant to prove by more likely than not that they can be safely released. The bill lists 15 categories of offenses, such as first-degree murder, certain sexual penetrations, and aggravated assault on peace officers, directly affecting individuals charged with these crimes. It would take effect only after a constitutional amendment is approved by voters, which must be enacted to implement the bail presumption.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 148: "MIGUEL TRUJILLO DAY"

SB 148 designates April 30 of each year as "Miguel Trujillo Day" in New Mexico to honor Miguel Trujillo, a marine veteran and Pueblo of Isleta member who secured voting rights for Native Americans on tribal lands. The bill appropriates $75,000 from the general fund to the Indian Affairs Department for fiscal year 2027 to develop educational materials, coordinate community events with tribes and schools, and create digital/print resources about Trujillo's life and achievements. This funding supports public awareness and community observances of the day through education and reflection on voting rights. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 will revert to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 149: PROPERTY TAX CODE DEFINITIONS

SB 149 amends New Mexico's Property Tax Code to clarify the definition of "residential property." It explicitly includes manufactured homes used for permanent habitation as residential property, while excluding temporary structures like hotels and motels. This change directly affects manufactured home owners by classifying their properties under residential tax rates instead of potentially higher nonresidential rates. The bill makes a technical adjustment to tax classification rules without creating new taxes or exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 138: REPEAL RENT CONTROL PROHIBITION

SB 138 repeals a state law that has prohibited New Mexico cities and towns from enacting rent control on privately owned housing. This bill directly affects local governments, removing a legal barrier that has prevented them from creating rent control policies since 1991. The key mechanism is the repeal of Section 47-8A-1 NMSA 1978, which previously banned municipalities from passing such ordinances. If passed, this would allow cities and towns to develop their own rent control rules for private rental properties.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 68: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GOVERNMENT USE ACT

SB 68, the Artificial Intelligence Government Use Act, requires New Mexico's public bodies - including state agencies, counties, school districts, and other government entities - to establish policies for using artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision tools. These policies must ensure human employees make final decisions for consequential matters (like housing, employment, or health care), protect sensitive data, and prevent bypassing security protocols. Public bodies must also train employees on AI policies and appropriate use, with policies made available to the public upon request. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 131: RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL ZONES

This bill would revise New Mexico's zoning laws to allow apartment buildings in areas currently zoned for commercial use, permit duplexes and townhouses in single-family residential zones, and let small businesses (like shops or cafes) operate in residential neighborhoods. It removes restrictions on building height and story count, prohibits minimum parking requirements for new developments (except for accessible parking), and requires local governments to adopt these changes. The law directly affects cities and counties by changing how they approve housing and mixed-use projects, impacting developers, property owners, and residents seeking more housing options.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results