New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 245: DENIAL OF ENROLLMENT TO SCHOOL

HB 245 prohibits New Mexico public schools from denying enrollment to school-age students based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or residential address. It requires school boards to post grade-level vacancy counts every 12 weeks and enroll applicants on a first-come, first-served basis when space is available. The bill also limits school boards' ability to create enrollment preferences beyond specific priorities and mandates annual public reporting of enrollment data to the state education department. This directly affects all public school districts and students seeking enrollment across New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Education

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.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 242: COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR RETIREES

HB 242 provides a temporary 1.68% annual cost-of-living pay increase for eligible New Mexico public retirees aged 65+ who have retired for at least two years. It applies to normal retirees, disability retirees, and survivors meeting specific criteria, with an additional 2.5% increase for retirees with pensions under $25,000 annually. The state appropriates $10 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2028 to fund these adjustments, starting July 1, 2026. The bill ensures retirees receive these increases without compounding and allows them to opt out of the adjustment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 108: REGIONAL FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM

SB 108 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (administered through New Mexico State University) to fund a regional farm-to-food bank program. This program connects local farms with food banks across New Mexico, helping redirect surplus produce to communities facing food insecurity. The bill ensures the funds remain available for fiscal year 2026 and future years without reverting to the general fund if unspent. It is a funding measure, not a new policy, and directly supports food banks, farms, and food-insecure residents through this specific appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 179: UNM MEDICAL SPANISH EDUCATION PROGRAM

SB 179 appropriates $350,000 from the state general fund to fund the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center medical Spanish education program. The funding supports curriculum development and implementation for health sciences students, specifically to enhance Spanish-language medical training. This bill directly affects UNM Health Sciences Center students by expanding their language skills for patient care in New Mexico's Spanish-speaking communities. The appropriation is limited to fiscal years 2027-2028, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 177: GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS TO OTHER FUNDS

SB 177 transfers $111 million from New Mexico's General Fund to the Research, Development and Deployment Fund, with additional allocations totaling $106 million over three years for economic development initiatives. It specifically funds advanced energy startups ($37.5 million), defense/aerospace/bioscience innovation hubs ($30.9 million), and university research projects at New Mexico Tech and UNM (including $9 million for wireless tech and $8 million for defense-related equipment). These funds target industries like renewable energy, quantum computing, and defense technology, with unspent balances reverting to the General Fund by 2029. The bill directly affects the Economic Development Department, New Mexico universities, national laboratories, and businesses in targeted technology sectors.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HJR 9: CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

This bill (HJR 9) is a joint resolution passed by the New Mexico legislature requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose three specific amendments: imposing fiscal restraints on federal spending, limiting the federal government's power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution directs the state secretary of state to send copies to federal officials and states that New Mexico's application remains active until two-thirds of states apply for the same purpose. It does not create new laws but formally requests a convention to address federal fiscal policy and governance.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 183: STATEWIDE DRINKING WATER NEEDS

HB 183 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Department of Environment for statewide drinking water needs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funding specifically covers private well testing and water filtration systems, directly benefiting residents relying on private wells for drinking water. Unspent funds at the end of 2027 must revert to the general fund. The bill does not create new regulations but allocates existing resources for immediate water quality support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 216: OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE ACT CHANGES

HB 216 updates New Mexico's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act to modernize definitions, registration fees, and safety rules for ATVs, snowmobiles, and recreational off-highway vehicles. It clarifies vehicle definitions (e.g., size, weight, seating requirements) and increases registration fees: a $17 base fee (with $5 covering processing costs) plus a variable user fee up to $40 per vehicle, all distributed to specific state funds. The bill also strengthens operational safety rules, prohibiting reckless operation, operation under the influence, or off-road use near livestock structures or agricultural areas without authorization. These changes directly affect OHV users, operators, and local agencies managing registration and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 241: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE COURT NOTICES

HB 241 requires New Mexico courts to notify the Medical Board when physicians are named as defendants in malpractice lawsuits, including dismissals or amendments removing a physician. It extends the period the Medical Board can temporarily suspend a physician's license without a hearing and mandates the Board to post all active malpractice claims, related payments, and disciplinary actions on its website. Hospitals and healthcare entities must report malpractice settlements exceeding $1 million to the Board. This bill directly affects physicians facing lawsuits, the Medical Board, courts, and healthcare providers required to submit reporting data.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 214: CONSUMER INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION ACT

HB 214, the Consumer Information and Data Protection Act, creates new rules for businesses handling personal data in New Mexico. It directly affects New Mexico residents ("consumers") by granting them rights to access, correct, or delete their personal data, and requiring businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data processing - prohibiting "dark patterns" that trick users. Key provisions include special protections for children's data, sensitive health information (like reproductive or mental health data), and biometric data, while banning the use of precise location tracking without consent. Businesses must also implement security measures and cannot use de-identified data for re-identification. The bill does not apply to publicly available information or de-identified data.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 79: MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE

SB 79 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health for mosquito surveillance, prevention, and control efforts during fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The bill specifically allows the Department to distribute up to $1.5 million in grants to local governments and state educational institutions for mosquito-related projects. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 must return to the general fund. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, directly supporting public health agencies and local entities managing mosquito risks.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results