New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 167: CRIME OF DEADLY WEAPON ON SCHOOL PREMISES

SB 167 raises the penalty for unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon on school premises from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony, resulting in harsher sentencing for this offense. It clarifies the definition of "school premises" to include school buses, playgrounds, parking areas, and other public spaces where school activities are held. The bill directly affects individuals who carry weapons in these areas without one of the specified exceptions, such as school security personnel, students in authorized programs, or persons in private vehicles for lawful protection. This change modifies the criminal penalty without altering the list of allowed exceptions for carrying weapons.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 14: DENTIST & DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT

HB 14 creates the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" to allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that eliminates duplicate licensing requirements, directly affecting dental professionals seeking to work across state lines, including military personnel and their families. Key provisions include standardized background checks, shared disciplinary information between states, and requirements for practitioners to follow each state's scope of practice rules. The bill aims to improve access to dental services in underserved areas and streamline workforce mobility while maintaining state regulatory authority.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 9: MEDICAID TRUST FUND

SB 9 authorizes a $1 billion transfer from New Mexico's general fund to the Medicaid Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports the state's Medicaid program, which provides healthcare coverage to low-income residents, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill establishes a specific financial mechanism to replenish the Medicaid Trust Fund, ensuring stable funding for healthcare services without altering eligibility rules or program structure. It does not create new benefits or change how Medicaid operates, only providing a dedicated funding source. The transfer is scheduled for implementation in the 2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 215: OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE OPERATING AUTHORIZATION

HB 215 allows local and county governments in New Mexico to authorize recreational off-highway vehicles (like ATVs) to operate on paved streets and highways within their boundaries, subject to specific safety requirements. The bill requires vehicles to have headlights, taillights, brakes, mirrors, and mufflers; operators must hold valid driver’s licenses, off-highway vehicle permits, and insurance; and those under 18 must wear safety helmets. Local authorities can also set separate speed limits and operating restrictions for these vehicles on public roads. The bill maintains prohibitions against operating such vehicles on freeways, state game lands, and state parks without specific permission. It does not change existing rules for off-highway vehicle use on non-paved public lands.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 66: ABANDONED URANIUM MINE CLEANUP

This bill appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to clean up abandoned uranium mines and other contaminated sites across New Mexico where no responsible polluter exists to fund the work. It directly affects communities near these sites, particularly those impacted by historical uranium mining, by enabling the Department of Environment to conduct assessments and remediation. The funds will be used for cleanup actions during fiscal years 2027-2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2029. The legislation focuses solely on addressing existing contamination through state-funded cleanup, without altering liability or creating new regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJR 5: NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUATION, CA

This bill (SJR 5) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Mexico’s legislature to limit annual increases in the assessed value of **residential property** for property tax purposes. It would amend the state constitution to authorize rules restricting how much a home’s taxable value can rise each year, potentially based on factors like owner-occupancy, homeowner age, or income. These limits could apply statewide or be chosen by local governments, with tax rates applied to the property’s full value if the limit isn’t used. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election. (Note: The bill title incorrectly states "nonresidential"; the text specifically addresses residential property.)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 191: SEIZURE SAFE SCHOOLS ACT

SB 191, the Seizure Safe Schools Act, requires New Mexico schools to provide trained staff for students with seizure disorders. It mandates annual training for all school employees (including bus drivers) on recognizing seizures and first aid by December 2026, and ensures each school with affected students has at least two trained personnel (school nurses or volunteers) to administer medications and use medical devices. Schools must implement individualized "seizure action plans" provided by parents, detailing medical needs, accommodations, and emergency protocols for all school activities. The bill applies directly to students with seizure disorders, school staff, and school boards, focusing on concrete safety protocols rather than policy debates. (Note: This is a proposed bill pending in committee as of January 2026.)

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 224: MEDICAL CARE EXPENSES TAX DEDUCTION

HB 224 expands New Mexico's tax deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses to apply to all taxpayers, regardless of income level - replacing previous income-based limits. It establishes tiered deduction rates (10%, 15%, or 25% of eligible medical costs) based on filing status and adjusted gross income, with lower-income taxpayers receiving higher percentages. Eligible expenses include doctor visits, prescriptions, medical insurance premiums, and other health care costs as defined in the bill. The law takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 81: PRIMARY CARE CAPITAL FUNDING ACT

SB 81 allocates $25 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority for primary care capital projects, such as facility construction or equipment upgrades. This funding directly supports primary care facilities (like clinics and community health centers) across New Mexico by providing capital resources. The bill specifies that unspent funds from this allocation will not return to the general fund at year-end, ensuring continued availability for future projects. The appropriation is set for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years, enabling long-term planning for primary care infrastructure needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 221: ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT PAY TAX EXEMPTION

HB 221 removes the $30,000 annual cap on tax exemptions for military retirement pay in New Mexico, making all such income tax-exempt for eligible individuals. It directly affects New Mexico military retirees and their surviving spouses who qualify for lifetime retirement benefits under federal law. The bill amends state tax code to eliminate the previous limitation, meaning retirees no longer face a taxable threshold on their military pay. This change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and does not create new benefits but modifies existing tax treatment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 10: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT INTERSTATE COMPACT

HB 10 establishes the Physician Assistant Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses. It requires states to mutually recognize PAs' licenses and mandates that PAs practice under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located at the time of care. The compact specifically benefits military families by enabling active-duty personnel and their spouses to use their home state license in other participating states, while states retain authority to take disciplinary action against PAs for safety concerns. This eliminates licensing barriers for PAs working across state lines while maintaining patient safety standards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 188: PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

SB 188 creates a new law requiring New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave to full-time school employees who have worked for 52 consecutive weeks. The leave covers birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child, is paid at the employee’s regular rate, and must be used within a 52-week period. School districts will be reimbursed by the state for costs like substitute staff, and schools must report on employee demographics and leave usage annually. This law directly affects school employees and ensures job protection during leave without impacting retirement benefits or requiring leave exhaustion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results