New Mexico Bills

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 149: CHARTER SCHOOLS & NMFA

HB 149 expands access to facility financing for New Mexico charter schools by amending the New Mexico Finance Authority Act. It allows the state finance authority to provide loans from the Charter School Facility Revolving Fund to nonprofit foundations or support organizations affiliated with charter schools - previously limited to schools themselves. The bill also requires charter schools to receive the maximum available grant from the Public School Capital Outlay Fund for lease assistance and caps their local contribution to capital projects at 10%. These changes directly affect charter schools and their affiliated nonprofit groups by improving their ability to secure funding for facility construction, renovation, or lease-purchase agreements.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 147: JUVENILE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CHANGES

SB 147 expands New Mexico's Juvenile Community Corrections Grant Fund to support community-based programs for youth aged 18-22 (previously defined as "children" under 18) and adjudicated delinquents. The bill allows counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to operate diversion programs focused on prevention, intervention, and community services instead of incarceration. It requires that no more than 12% of fund money can cover administrative costs and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects youth in the justice system and community service providers receiving state funding. It clarifies that funds can be used for direct program operation or contracting, with strict rules for grant applications and eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 41: TEMPORARY PERA MEMBER PAYMENT

HB 41 provides a temporary, additional 2% payment to eligible retired public employees under New Mexico's Public Employees Retirement Act (PERA) for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. It directly affects retirees who meet specific criteria, such as having retired for at least two years (or one year if over 65), disability retirees with one year of retirement, or survivor beneficiaries with two years of payments. The bill appropriates $70 million from the general fund to cover these payments, which are calculated as 2% of each recipient’s current pension amount (not compounded), with special provisions for retirees receiving under $25,000 annually or aged 75+.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 25: JUVENILE FIREARM USE AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

HB 25 prohibits adults who received a juvenile disposition for a firearm-related offense (that would be a felony if committed by an adult) from possessing firearms or destructive devices. It treats such juvenile dispositions as criminal convictions for the purpose of firearm background checks, requiring law enforcement to access these juvenile records during background screenings. The bill directly affects adults with these specific juvenile court records, preventing them from legally obtaining or possessing firearms. Key mechanisms include amending firearm possession laws to include this category of individuals and mandating access to juvenile delinquency records during background checks. The law does not change juvenile sentencing but alters how past firearm-related juvenile cases impact adult firearm rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 9: STUDY STATE PURCHASE OF UTILITIES

Senate Memorial 9 requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study whether New Mexico state investment funds should purchase equity in New Mexico Gas Company and TXNM Energy (parent of PNM), examining financial, environmental, and economic impacts. The study must be completed by December 2026, including input from agencies like the Public Regulation Commission, and requires the commission to delay private equity acquisition approvals until the study concludes. This procedural resolution does not change policy but directs a review of potential state ownership for revenue diversification and influence over utility operations.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 161: CHANGE K-12 PROGRAM UNIT CALCULATION

HB 161 adjusts how New Mexico school districts calculate funding for "K-12 plus schools" - those offering more than 1,140 instructional hours annually (1,195+ hours for extended calendars). It modifies the formula to award higher funding rates (16 thousandths vs. 12 thousandths) for schools exceeding 1,195 instructional hours, based on actual hours and days taught. This directly affects school districts operating extended-calendar programs, changing how they receive state funding for those schools. The bill requires districts to submit student participation data by October 15 annually for the next school year’s funding calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 23: PROHIBITING NONFUNCTIONAL TURF INSTALLATION

This bill bans the installation of decorative, non-recreational grass (nonfunctional turf) on state properties managed by the General Services Department or Legislative Council Service starting in 2028. It requires all existing nonfunctional turf to be replaced with drought-resistant landscaping (like native plants or efficient irrigation systems) by 2033 and restricts irrigation to recycled water for such areas after that year. Exceptions include cemeteries and tree canopy zones where replacement isn’t feasible. The state allocates $3.5 million to cover implementation costs for these changes.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 8: HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Senate Memorial 8 (SM 8) is a symbolic resolution honoring New Mexico law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and recognizing their service. It expresses the Senate’s appreciation for officers’ work and calls for supporting them through increased personnel, improved training/equipment, stronger penalties for violence against officers, and better mental health resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges state and local governments to prioritize officer safety and well-being. It directly affects New Mexico law enforcement officers and their families, particularly those who have died while serving. The resolution was referred to committees on January 26, 2026.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 134: PERMANENT HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

SB 134 creates a permanent joint legislative committee focused on health and human services in New Mexico. It establishes a 10-member committee (4 Senate, 6 House) with specific party representation rules, appoints a director, and requires the committee to study state health/human services systems, recommend policy changes, and report findings before each odd-year legislative session. The bill appropriates $500,000 for initial staffing and operations in fiscal year 2027. This procedural bill directly affects the legislature and state agencies, which must provide requested information to the committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 152: ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION ACT

HB 152, the Environmental Product Declaration Act, requires manufacturers of specific building materials (including concrete, steel, asphalt, glass, and insulation) to create independently verified environmental declarations. These declarations must include a life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (embodied carbon) and meet international standards, enabling comparisons of environmental impacts between products. The Department of Environment will administer the program, supported by a $5 million fund transferred from the general fund, and must publish annual reports starting October 2027. The act takes effect July 1, 2026, with rules to be finalized by January 2027.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 144: REPEAL SPECIAL ZONING DISTRICT ACT

SB 144 would repeal New Mexico's Special Zoning District Act (specifically Sections 3-21-15 through 3-21-26 NMSA 1978), removing existing zoning rules for certain areas. This bill directly affects local governments and property owners currently operating under these special zoning districts. As a procedural repeal, it eliminates the referenced statutes without adding new provisions or mechanisms. The bill is currently pending before Senate committees.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 141: STUDENT ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTRACURRICULARS

SB 141 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to establish eligibility rules for students to participate in school activities like sports, clubs, and competitions. The bill allows the department to delegate this rule-making authority to a school association (such as a sports league), but only if the department retains specific oversight powers. These include the right to approve or disapprove the association's rules, require financial audits, and ensure compliance with open meetings and public records laws. This ensures the department maintains control over student eligibility standards while permitting associations to manage activities under defined conditions.

Bill results