New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 203: SPACEPORT AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS

HB 203 changes how members are appointed to New Mexico's Spaceport Authority board. It shifts appointment authority from the current process to require the governor to appoint two members (with Senate consent), while the Senate President, House Speaker, Senate Minority Leader, and House Minority Leader each appoint one member. The bill also mandates that one appointed member must reside in Sierra County, limits the board to no more than three members from the same political party, and sets new qualifications like experience in aerospace, aviation, or public finance. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, for all future appointments.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 40: TEMPORARY ERB MEMBER PAYMENT

HB 40 provides a temporary 2% additional payment to retired members receiving annuities under New Mexico's Educational Retirement Act for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. This payment, calculated as 2% of each retiree's current annual benefit amount (including prior cost-of-living adjustments), is non-compounding and separate from standard annual adjustments. It applies to all retired educators under the Act, excluding those on disability status or under specific retirement provisions. The bill does not alter existing cost-of-living adjustment rules but adds this short-term benefit for two years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 209: FIREFIGHTER NO-COST CANCER SCREENING

HB 209 requires group health insurance plans in New Mexico (including self-insured plans) to cover preventive cancer screenings for firefighters without any cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copays. It directly affects firefighters employed by state or local government fire departments, as defined in the bill. The law mandates coverage based on the latest screening guidelines from the International Association of Firefighters, ensuring screenings are fully paid for by the insurer. This policy change is implemented through amendments to the Health Care Purchasing Act, making screenings a mandatory benefit under existing group health coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 204: WILDFIRE RISK INSURANCE MODELS & UNDERWRITING

HB 204 requires New Mexico homeowners insurance companies to disclose how they use wildfire risk models in pricing and underwriting. Insurers must submit model details to the insurance superintendent, explain how property-specific (like defensible space) and community-level (like forest treatment) mitigation efforts affect premiums, and provide clear discounts for these actions. Policyholders will receive annual written notices explaining their risk score, available discounts, and how mitigation actions could lower their premiums, with a process to appeal inaccurate scores. The bill applies only to homeowners and residential condo/multifamily property insurance policies.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 178: SCHOOL FINANCE CHANGES

SB 178 requires New Mexico school districts with over 2,000 students to allocate at least 90% of state equalization funds generated by each school directly to that school, with cash balance limits for non-compliant districts. It mandates all school districts and charter schools to develop evidence-based spending plans targeting academic improvements for at-risk students (Native American, low-income, English learners, and special education). The Public Education Department can intervene in underperforming schools by requiring curriculum updates, professional development, or hiring experts to revamp programs. Districts must also submit quarterly financial reports detailing fund allocation for these student groups, effective for the 2026-2027 through 2030-2031 school years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 116: UNIFORMED SVC. RETIREMENT PAY TAX EXEMPTION

SB 116 removes the $30,000 annual limit on the income tax exemption for uniformed services retirement pay in New Mexico. It directly affects New Mexico residents who are uniformed services retirees (including military, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, NOAA Corps, or National Guard members) or their surviving spouses. The bill changes the law so that all retirement pay from these services qualifies for the tax exemption, rather than only the first $30,000. This exemption applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 70: UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PILOT PROJECT

SB 70 creates a two-year universal basic income pilot program in New Mexico for pregnant individuals. It provides $1,500 monthly to eligible participants (pregnant people with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) while requiring home visits from early childhood services, health surveys, and prenatal care compliance. The program, funded by $80 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2028, includes a control group for comparison. The Department of Health will evaluate financial impacts on participants and report findings to the legislative committee by December 2028. This is strictly a research pilot, not a permanent policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 164: TRANSFER AMBULANCE STANDARDS TO DOH

SB 164 transfers responsibility for regulating ambulance services from New Mexico's Department of Transportation (DOT) to the Department of Health (DOH). The bill moves existing ambulance standards, certification programs, enforcement authority, and related records to DOH, including oversight of ambulance service requirements, tariffs, and safety rules. This change directly affects ambulance providers, local governments operating ambulance services, and emergency medical service programs statewide. The bill does not create new standards but shifts administrative control to DOH while maintaining current regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 205: SCHOOL TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HB 205 creates a Career Technical Externship Program within New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department to provide professional development for public school career-technical teachers and public community college faculty. The program pairs educators with industry professionals in high-demand fields to enhance their technical skills and understanding of current workforce standards. It allocates $250,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to implement the program, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund. The bill requires collaboration between Workforce Solutions, the Public Education Department, and community colleges to design the program and application process. The bill is currently pending review by the House Education and Appropriations & Finance Committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 112: SEVERANCE TAX FUND INVESTMENT CLASSES

SB 112 amends New Mexico's Severance Tax Permanent Fund investment rules to clarify which investments qualify as "differential rate" (designed to boost New Mexico's economy) versus standard "market rate" investments. It restricts differential rate investments to specific existing sections of law until July 1, 2026, after which only market rate investments may be used. The bill ensures all investments follow prudent financial standards and accounting rules. This directly affects the state treasurer and fund managers who handle the $1.2+ billion Severance Tax Permanent Fund, which is funded by oil and gas extraction revenues.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 201: IPRA TASK FORCE FUNDING

HB 201 appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Attorney General's office for fiscal years 2026-2027. This funding will hire staff to support a task force studying the state's Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), which governs public access to government records. The bill specifically directs the Attorney General to convene and staff this task force to examine IPRA implementation. Any unspent funds at the end of 2027 must return to the general fund. The bill does not change IPRA itself but provides resources for a review study.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 133: HEALTH EQUIPMENT GRT DEDUCTION

SB 133 creates a tax deduction in New Mexico for healthcare practitioners who sell equipment or non-prescription medication directly to patients during office visits. It allows deductions for items used in patient treatment (like medical devices or saline), excluding standard office furniture and computers. To offset lost local tax revenue, the bill requires municipalities and counties to receive compensation based on the total deductions claimed in their areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results