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New Mexico Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 9,506 Active 3 In committee 2,535 Passed 752 Signed 1,992 Failed 305

failed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 100: BURGLARY DEFINITION OF DWELLING

SB 100 defines "dwelling" in New Mexico's burglary and aggravated burglary laws as a personal space with an enclosure that creates a reasonable expectation of privacy. This definition will determine when a structure qualifies as a "dwelling" for burglary charges, clarifying legal standards for law enforcement and courts. The bill does not change penalties for burglary but ensures consistent application of the law in cases involving residential spaces. It directly affects all burglary prosecutions in New Mexico where a dwelling is alleged to have been entered.

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 219: ATTENDANCE FOR SUCCESS ACT CHANGES

HB 219 modifies New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act to require schools and juvenile probation services to collaborate on addressing student absenteeism. It defines "chronic absence" as missing 10% or more school days (whether excused or not), and mandates juvenile probation to review attendance records, initiate interventions, and refer cases to court for students who remain excessively absent after school-level efforts. Schools must document outreach to families, differentiate between absence types, and prohibit out-of-school suspensions for absenteeism. The bill also requires children's court attorneys to start legal proceedings under the Family In Need of Court-Ordered Services Act for chronically absent students.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 199: SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION & FEDERAL LAW

HB 199 updates New Mexico's sex offender registration laws to align with federal requirements under the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act. It requires sex offenders who live in New Mexico, work in New Mexico for over 14 days annually, or attend school in New Mexico to register with their local sheriff. The bill clarifies key terms, such as defining "habitually lives" (30+ days in a year) and expanding "institution of higher education" to include trade schools. This affects individuals convicted of specific sex offenses (e.g., sexual contact with minors, exploitation, or trafficking) who meet the residency, employment, or school criteria under state or federal law. The bill aims to ensure state compliance with federal reporting standards.

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 148: PROPERTY TAX AFFIDAVITS

HB 148 creates a temporary 5% annual cap on increases in property tax valuations for nonresidential properties (like offices or stores) from 2026 through 2036, affecting commercial property owners. It also updates requirements for residential property transfers, mandating that sellers or buyers submit an affidavit with specific details (names, sale price, property description) to county assessors within 30 days of a transfer, but excluding many common transactions like family transfers, government deals, or leases. The bill explicitly states these affidavits are for statistical use only and cannot be used in property valuation. Exceptions to the valuation cap include new properties, expansions after disasters, or changes in property zoning.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 251: NEW HOMES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

HB 251 creates the New Homes Development Program under New Mexico's Mortgage Finance Authority to provide homebuyer assistance. It offers up to $10,000 per qualifying homebuyer to purchase a newly occupied home (with a certificate of occupancy issued within 12 months) through direct disbursement at the time of purchase. The program requires annual reporting starting in 2027 on grants awarded and program recommendations, and appropriates $30 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2029, with unused funds reverting to the general fund by 2029. This directly affects first-time homebuyers meeting eligibility criteria who purchase recently built homes in New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 137: STOCKING OF CERTAIN DRUGS IN PHARMACIES

HB 137 requires New Mexico retail pharmacies to maintain specific stock levels of buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) based on their past dispensing rates. Pharmacies must calculate a minimum daily stock requirement every 30 days and keep at least three additional prescriptions (including both buprenorphine-only and combination products), with slightly lower requirements for community-based pharmacies. Wholesale drug distributors must report monthly to the state board any denials or delays in filling buprenorphine orders from pharmacies, including reasons for such actions. Violations could result in fines up to $2,500 for pharmacies and $10,000 for distributors, with the state health department using the data to publish biannual reports on access to buprenorphine.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 194: EXPAND METRO REDEVELOPMENT CODE & PROJECTS

HB 194 expands New Mexico's Metropolitan Redevelopment Program to include areas with housing shortages, defined as locations experiencing affordable housing scarcity, rising costs, or low vacancy rates. The bill allows redevelopment projects in these areas to include qualifying multifamily housing and exempts such properties from property taxation for up to 20 years. This directly affects developers and property owners building or maintaining affordable housing in designated shortage areas. The policy aims to increase housing supply by reducing financial barriers for developers in regions with critical housing needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 207: WATER QUALITY COMMISSION PRODUCED WATER RULES

HB 207 requires New Mexico's Water Quality Control Commission to create specific rules allowing the reuse of treated water generated from oil and gas operations (called "produced water"). This bill directly affects oil and gas operators, water treatment facilities, and entities seeking to use this treated water for purposes like irrigation or industrial processes. The key mechanism is mandating the Commission to develop these rules, which must be based on scientific data and consider water quality protection, while ensuring the rules align with existing legal authority under the Water Quality Act. The bill does not specify the exact permitted uses but sets a process for the Commission to establish them.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 292: NM PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT

The New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act (HB 292) requires all state and local correctional facilities - including prisons, jails, lockups, and community confinement centers - to adopt zero-tolerance policies against sexual abuse and harassment. Each facility must appoint a dedicated coordinator to oversee prevention, detection, and response efforts, with clear definitions of terms like "sexual abuse" and "facility" to ensure consistent application. This law directly affects inmates, detainees, and staff by mandating specific safety protocols in confinement settings. It establishes concrete standards for accountability without specifying enforcement penalties or expected outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 15: MEDICAL INJURY COLLABORATIVE RESOLUTION ACT

HB 15, the Medical Injury Collaborative Resolution Act, creates a formal process for patients and healthcare providers to discuss adverse health care outcomes (like injuries or deaths resulting from care) through "adverse outcome conferences." It directly affects patients who experience medical harm and healthcare providers involved in those incidents. Key provisions require written notice about patient rights (including medical records access and legal counsel), mandate that statements made during conferences cannot establish fault or limit legal claims, and require providers to keep settlement offers open for 15 days. The bill does not change lawsuit timelines or legal liability but aims to facilitate open communication and potential settlements outside of court. The bill is currently pending in the New Mexico legislature after passing committee reviews.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 264: VARIOUS INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS

HB 264 creates new tax deductions for New Mexico taxpayers earning tips (based on federal Section 224), overtime pay (federal Section 225), and Social Security income (federal Section 151). It replaces the Working Families Tax Credit with a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) modeled after federal rules, adds a new Foster Parent and Guardian Income Tax Credit, and expands the medical expense deduction to apply to taxpayers of all income levels. The bill also extends tax deductions for healthcare practitioners to include patient coinsurance payments. These provisions directly affect low-to-moderate income earners, tip-based workers, retirees, and foster care providers by modifying how their income is taxed under New Mexico law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 267: WILDFIRE UTILITY MITIGATION & LIABILITY ACT

HB 267, the Wildfire Utility Mitigation & Liability Act, requires electric utilities (including cooperatives) to develop and get approval for wildfire prevention plans by August 2026. Utilities must submit detailed plans covering infrastructure maintenance, vegetation management, public safety shutoff procedures, and community outreach, with the Public Regulation Commission reviewing them within 180 days. If a utility follows an approved plan, it receives a compliance certificate that limits its liability for wildfires caused by its equipment and allows cost recovery through special charges on customer bills. The bill also mandates annual compliance reports and creates a statute of limitations for certain wildfire-related lawsuits against utilities.