New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 174: CHATBOT SAFETY ACT

HB 174, the Chatbot Safety Act, regulates "companion artificial intelligence products" (AI chatbots designed for long-term emotional interaction) in New Mexico. It prohibits operators from using addictive engagement tactics (like variable rewards), simulating emotional distress to retain users, or misrepresenting the AI's identity. The bill requires clear real-time notifications that users are interacting with AI, mandatory crisis intervention protocols for suicide/self-harm risks, and annual reviews with mental health experts. These rules apply to developers and companies deploying such AI products in New Mexico, with violations treated as unfair trade practices enforceable by the Attorney General starting January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 208: LAW ENFORCEMENT ID AND CONCEALING IDENTITY

HB 208 requires New Mexico law enforcement officers to display their name, rank, and agency on their uniform and provide identification upon request during public interactions. It prohibits officers from wearing face coverings that obscure their identity (except medical masks during health emergencies) and bans concealing their agency name while on duty. Exceptions apply for undercover operations, SWAT teams, and bomb disposal work. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with the law taking immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 139: COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN FUNDING

SB 139 appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the Commission on the Status of Women for fiscal year 2027. The funding directly supports the commission's operations by covering contractor assistance, additional office space, and an agency database. Any unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund. This bill provides specific financial resources to enhance the commission's capacity without changing existing laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 112: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME YEAR-ROUND

HB 112 would make daylight saving time the permanent standard time for all of New Mexico, eliminating the annual clock change required by federal law. The bill directly affects all New Mexicans and state agencies, requiring state information technology systems to be updated to year-round daylight saving time using $100,000 in state funds. It exempts New Mexico from federal time laws but maintains federal time standards for interstate commerce and U.S. government operations. The bill’s implementation depends on a future federal law allowing states to adopt year-round daylight saving time or on Texas adopting a similar change for El Paso County.

died · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 42: TAOS PRIMARY HEALTH BUILDING

SB 42 allocates $10 million from the state general fund to construct, equip, and furnish a new primary health care building in Taos County, directly benefiting residents by expanding local health services. The funds must be spent between fiscal years 2027 and 2030, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2030. This is a funding bill focused on physical infrastructure, not policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 24: PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT

HB 24 creates a program offering home purchase loans to licensed healthcare professionals in New Mexico, including nurses, doctors, dentists, therapists, and social workers. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority will provide loans covering up to 10% of a home’s purchase price to qualified professionals who agree to practice in the state for 10 years at 75% or more of full-time employment. A lien on the home remains for 10 years, and early departure requires repayment of 100% (first 5 years), 50% (5-7 years), or 25% (7-10 years) of the loan amount. The program is funded by a $5 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal years 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJM 1: UNIFORM REDISTRICTING CRITERIA

SJM 1 is a non-binding memorial from the New Mexico legislature urging the U.S. Congress to establish uniform redistricting criteria for congressional districts and prohibit states from redrawing congressional maps mid-cycle (outside of court orders). It does not directly affect New Mexico residents or create new state law, as it is a request directed at federal lawmakers. The memorial argues that partisan gerrymandering violates constitutional rights and worsens political polarization, citing Congress's authority under the Constitution to set rules for congressional elections. New Mexico's legislature asks Congress to pass legislation requiring states to follow consistent redistricting standards and banning midcycle map changes without judicial approval. This is a procedural request, not a policy change enacted by New Mexico.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 21: LAND GRANT-MERCED ACEQUIA INFRASTRUCTURE ACT

HB 21 creates the Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Act, establishing two dedicated funds to provide infrastructure assistance to specific communities. It directly affects land grant-merced communities (designated political subdivisions under New Mexico law) and acequias (community irrigation systems organized as political subdivisions), enabling them to access grants for projects like water systems, roads, health facilities, and flood protection. The bill sets up a trust fund that distributes annual allocations to two project funds - administered by a council for land grants and a commission for acequias - based on trust fund balances. These funds will support planning, construction, and equipment for qualified infrastructure projects through established application and evaluation processes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 101: REGIONAL FARM TO FOOD BANK FUNDING

HB 101 appropriates $200 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Department of Agriculture for a regional farm-to-food bank program. The bill directly affects food banks and agricultural producers by funding connections between farms and food distribution networks, aiming to reduce food waste and improve food access. Key provisions include allocating funds for fiscal year 2026 and future years with no requirement to return unspent balances to the general fund. The bill is declared an emergency to take effect immediately, prioritizing rapid implementation of the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 82: UNLEADED AVIATION FUEL GRANT PROGRAM

SB 82 creates a New Mexico state grant program to help publicly owned airports install unleaded aviation fuel systems. The program, funded with $5 million from the general fund, provides competitive grants of up to $200,000 per airport to airports without existing unleaded fuel access. Eligible applicants include publicly owned airports, state political subdivisions, and tribal nations/pueblos. The grant requires installations to use alcohol-free gasoline with lead content under 0.001 grams per gallon, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HJR 3: ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CA

HJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish environmental rights for all New Mexicans, including the right to clean air, water, soil, and a healthy environment, as well as a stable climate and thriving ecosystems. It requires state, county, and municipal governments to act as trustees of natural resources, protecting these rights equitably for everyone - including future generations - without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The amendment would take effect immediately upon voter approval (without needing additional laws) but prohibits monetary damages for violations. The proposal must be approved by New Mexico voters in the next general election.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 59: INCREASE PENALTY FOR CERTAIN DEATHS

HB 59 increases the prison sentence for a second-degree felony resulting in a human death from 18 to 25 years. It directly affects individuals convicted of this specific offense under New Mexico law. The bill amends Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978 to adjust the sentencing table, raising the baseline imprisonment term for this category while maintaining existing fines and parole provisions. This change applies only to second-degree felonies causing death, not other felony types or sexual offenses. The bill does not create new crimes or alter penalties for other offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results