New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 86: HARASSMENT BY TELEPHONE

SB 86 updates New Mexico's harassment law to include digital communications like social media posts, texts, and emails, replacing outdated "telephone" references. It makes it illegal to use these platforms with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or annoy others through obscene language, threats, or repeated anonymous messages. The law defines "electronic communication" to cover all major digital channels and maintains existing penalties: misdemeanor for first offenses, felony for repeat violations. This directly affects individuals using digital tools to harass others in New Mexico.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 162: NONPROFIT AGREEMENTS WITH DEPT. OF DEFENSE

SB 162 allows regional housing authorities in New Mexico to create nonprofit corporations that can enter agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense. These nonprofits may handle property-related work - like leasing, building, or managing facilities - both inside and outside New Mexico, under federal law (10 U.S.C. § 2679). All income from these agreements must directly support the regional housing authority’s affordable housing goals. The bill amends state law to authorize this, ensuring nonprofits follow the same duties as the housing authorities that create them.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 188: REMOVAL OF HAZARDS ON ROADS

This bill authorizes police officers and New Mexico Department of Transportation employees to move vehicles, debris, or other obstacles blocking roadways when they create immediate safety risks. It allows officials to clear such hazards from the traveled portion of roads without facing liability for damage to the hazard itself. The law applies statewide to all public roads and aims to improve traffic safety by enabling faster removal of dangerous obstacles. It does not change liability rules for damage to vehicles or property owned by others.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 1: UNIFORM REDISTRICTING CRITERIA

Senate Memorial 1, introduced by New Mexico Senators Natalie Figueroa and Harold Pope, is a non-binding request urging the U.S. Congress to establish federal rules for congressional redistricting. It specifically asks Congress to require all states to use consistent criteria when drawing district lines and to ban midcycle redistricting (changes between census years) unless ordered by a court. The memorial aims to reduce partisan gerrymandering and prevent frequent boundary changes that deepen political polarization, though it does not create new law. This resolution will only take effect if Congress passes the proposed legislation.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 176: CREATE ZERO INTEREST DOWN PAYMENT LOAN FUND

HB 176 creates a new "Zero Interest Down Payment Loan Fund" in New Mexico to provide first-time homebuyers with zero-interest loans covering up to 20% of a home's purchase price. The fund will be financed by redirecting specific state revenues - excess oil and gas tax receipts and federal Mineral Leasing Act funds - that would previously have gone to the Early Childhood Education and Behavioral Health funds. Starting in 2026, these redirected funds will instead support the loan program, with the first-time homebuyer loans secured by a 30-year mortgage lien (requiring repayment if the property sells before 30 years). The bill modifies existing distribution rules for these revenue streams to prioritize housing affordability for qualifying New Mexico residents.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 75: ALTERATION OF SENTENCE BASED ON CIRCUMSTANCES

HB 75 would allow New Mexico judges to reduce criminal sentences if they find strong evidence of mitigating circumstances (like personal hardship or rehabilitation efforts) during sentencing. It requires judges to use clear and convincing evidence for reductions, while limiting sentence increases to one-third of the original term (except for serious youthful offenders, who may get larger reductions). The bill also specifies that certain factors - such as prior convictions, hate crimes, or firearm use - cannot be used to justify harsher sentences. This directly affects defendants facing sentencing in New Mexico courts, particularly those with circumstances that could lead to a lower sentence under the proposed rule.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 153: PROCUREMENT CHANGES

SB 153 simplifies certification requirements for New Mexico resident businesses and contractors seeking state procurement preferences. It reduces the required tax payment period from five years (for contractors) and three years (for businesses) to three years for all, making it easier for local entities to qualify. The bill also adds new definitions (like "best obtainable price"), aligns the small business definition with federal law, and extends professional services contracts to eight years. Other key changes include streamlining sole-source contracts (max four years), increasing exemption thresholds for small purchases, and requiring clearer documentation for procurement decisions.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 175: REPORTING ON SCHOOL BUS DATA

HB 175 requires New Mexico school districts and state-chartered charter schools to report detailed transportation data, including the number of students transported (especially special education and charter school students), bus routes, miles traveled, and any expansion of services compared to the previous year. If a district or charter school reports expanded transportation services (such as new routes, increased miles, or more riders), it receives an immediate funding allocation for that expansion during the current school year. This allocation may be adjusted in the following year based on final data, as determined by the Public Education Department. The bill directly affects school districts and charter schools by linking their transportation funding to specific, reported service metrics.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 10: REVIEW HUMAN SEXUALITY ED. STANDARDS

House Memorial 10, introduced by Representative Yanira Gurrola, requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to review how New Mexico school districts implement human sexuality education standards. The committee must evaluate current practices across districts and identify improvements to ensure students receive medically accurate, comprehensive education on sexual health, contraception, and relationships. The review will culminate in a report with recommendations for legislative action by December 1, 2026. This procedural request does not change existing standards but aims to address inconsistent access to evidence-based education for students.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 97: SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME PREVENTION FUNDING

HB 97 appropriates $165,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health for fiscal year 2027 to prevent shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. The funding will update prevention training materials, require all hospitals and birthing centers statewide to implement educational programs, and establish statewide reporting for abusive head trauma cases. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities and the Department of Health, which will administer the programs. Unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 52: CRIMINAL COMPETENCY STATUTE CROSS REFERENCES

HB 52 corrects outdated cross-references in New Mexico law to ensure consistency between statutes related to criminal competency procedures. It updates references to Section 33-2-34 NMSA 1978 (the criminal competency statute) in multiple other sections, including those governing firearm restrictions (30-7-16) and GPS data for pretrial release (31-3-12). The bill makes purely procedural changes to legal citations without altering any substantive rules or requirements. This affects court staff, legal professionals, and law enforcement who rely on accurate statute references.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 156: SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME TAX CAP

SB 156 removes income limits for New Mexico taxpayers claiming an exemption on Social Security benefits. Currently, the exemption is capped at $75,000 (married filing separately), $150,000 (joint filers), or $100,000 (single filers). The bill eliminates these caps, allowing all Social Security income to be exempt from state income tax regardless of total earnings. This change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects New Mexico residents receiving Social Security benefits who exceed the previous income thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results