New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 183: STUDY CREATING REGIONAL URGENT CARE

SB 183 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority to study creating regional urgent care or emergency facilities in Torrance County and nearby areas. The study will examine whether such facilities are practical and beneficial for residents in that region. The funds must be spent by fiscal year 2027, with any unspent balance returning to the general fund. This bill does not create facilities but only funds the initial research phase.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 28: ADVANCE ELECTION FOR ED. FREEDOM TAX PROGRAM

This House Memorial (HM 28) is a non-binding request to New Mexico's governor, asking them to formally opt the state into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. It does not create new state law but urges the governor to submit an "advance election" to the IRS, allowing New Mexico residents to claim federal tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations supporting K-12 students. The program, enacted by federal law, enables dollar-for-dollar tax credits for charitable contributions to scholarship-granting groups, with no cost to New Mexico’s state budget. The memorial emphasizes that delaying this decision could redirect private donations to other states, potentially reducing educational funding opportunities for New Mexico families.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 12: PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT

HB 12 establishes New Mexico's participation in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing physical therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in New Mexico without obtaining a separate license. The bill requires states to share disciplinary information, conduct federal background checks, and recognize licenses across member states, with practice always governed by the state where the patient is located. It directly affects physical therapists seeking to work across state lines, military spouses relocating with service members, and state licensing boards managing cross-jurisdictional practice. Key provisions include mutual license recognition, standardized criminal background checks, and mechanisms for states to share investigative data to protect public safety.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 230: INTERIM ADMIN. RULES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

HB 230 creates a permanent 12-member legislative committee (appointed by party leaders in both houses) to review state agency rules during legislative breaks. It requires agencies to provide cost analyses for rules exceeding $1 million in implementation costs and mandates the committee to assess rules' necessity, fiscal impact, and legal compliance before final adoption. The committee will issue written recommendations to agencies during the public comment period for proposed rules. This establishes a formal process for legislative oversight of regulations, affecting state agencies, businesses, and citizens impacted by rule changes.

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 234: DEFINITION OF FENTANYL

HB 234 defines "fentanyl" to include specific analogs like para-bromofentanyl and para-fluoroacetyl fentanyl, expanding the scope of substances covered under trafficking laws. This directly affects individuals charged with fentanyl trafficking by clarifying which substances trigger enhanced sentencing penalties. The bill amends sentencing provisions to apply stricter prison terms (3-5 years) based on the quantity of fentanyl or its analogs possessed, or if the defendant recruited others to traffic. The definition change ensures these specific synthetic opioids are treated as fentanyl under existing criminal sentencing statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 222: VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

HB 222 requires all New Mexico voters to present acceptable identification at polling places or when requesting mail-in ballots. For in-person voting, voters may use a photo ID (like a driver's license) or documents showing name and address (e.g., utility bill, bank statement). For mail-in ballots, voters must submit a photocopy of their driver's license plus their Social Security number. The bill also mandates the Motor Vehicle Division to issue free voter ID cards and provides free photocopying of ID documents at government offices during business hours. This affects all voters participating in New Mexico elections, both in-person and by mail.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 142: SEVERANCE BONDS FOR ED. TECHNOLOGY

SB 142 extends the authorization to issue up to $10 million annually in severance tax bonds for education technology infrastructure in New Mexico until July 1, 2030. The bonds, certified by the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and sold by the State Board of Finance, fund school technology upgrades like broadband and digital tools. Proceeds are directed to an education technology infrastructure fund for public school systems. This maintains funding for school technology infrastructure projects beyond the current authorization period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 130: NO COST-SHARING OF CERTAIN DRUGS

SB 130 prohibits copays and deductibles for specific cholesterol-related care under New Mexico health plans. It requires coverage for generic cholesterol medications and coronary artery calcium scans without cost-sharing for adults over 49 with intermediate heart disease risk (determined by medical algorithms), unless they have family history or diagnosed symptoms. The bill also eliminates cost-sharing for second-line cholesterol medications if generic drugs fail or cause adverse reactions. It excludes short-term plans, catastrophic plans, and high-deductible health plans until deductibles are met, as defined by federal law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 168: ESTANCIA WIND TURBINE BLADE RECYCLING

SB 168 provides $150,000 in state funding to the Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority for planning and designing a dedicated facility to recycle wind turbine blades. The bill directly affects the Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority, which will use the funds in fiscal year 2027 to collaborate on site development. This is a procedural funding measure focused solely on the planning phase, not on building or operating the recycling site. The appropriation expires if unspent by the end of fiscal year 2027, with any remaining funds reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 92: SENIOR INCOME TAX DEDUCTION

HB 92 would expand New Mexico's tax exemption for Social Security income, directly benefiting seniors whose primary income comes from Social Security. The bill phases in higher tax exemptions over time: starting at 20% for 2026-2027, increasing to 40% (2028-2029), 60% (2030-2031), 80% (2032-2033), and reaching 100% by 2034. It sets income thresholds: $75,000 for married filing separately, $150,000 for joint filers, and $100,000 for single filers. The bill is currently pending before the House Commerce & Economic Development and Taxation & Revenue Committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJR 4: SESSION LENGTH & BILL CONSIDERATION, CA

SJR 4 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would change New Mexico's legislative session rules. It would extend regular sessions in even-numbered years from 30 to 60 days and remove current restrictions that limit even-year sessions to only budget, appropriations, and revenue bills. The amendment also adds provisions allowing the legislature to consider veto overrides for bills from any session (regular, special, or extraordinary) within the same biennium. If passed, this would require voter approval at the next general election. This is a procedural change affecting how the legislature organizes its work, not a policy on specific issues.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 210: HEALTH INFO EXCHANGE INFO SHARING

HB 210 allocates $4.813 million from the general fund to the Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2027. It directly provides healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) with subsidized subscriptions to New Mexico's state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE), encouraging them to share patient health data electronically. The bill’s key mechanism is covering the cost of HIE subscriptions for participating facilities, aiming to improve data sharing across providers. Any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to patient care standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill results