New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 166: HARM TO SELF & OTHERS DEFINITION

SB 166 clarifies key definitions for "harm to self" and "harm to others" in New Mexico's mental health and developmental disabilities laws. It defines "harm to self" as an inability to meet basic needs with risk of serious physical harm without treatment, and "harm to others" as past behavior causing serious harm or creating a substantial risk of repeat harm. These definitions will directly guide courts and mental health professionals when determining eligibility for involuntary treatment under existing commitment procedures. The bill does not create new procedures or funding but standardizes language to ensure consistent application of current laws.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 160: STOP, LOOK & LISTEN FOR RAILROAD EQUIPMENT

HB 160 requires drivers approaching railroad crossings to "stop, look, and listen" for all rail equipment - including maintenance vehicles and switching cars - not just trains. It amends New Mexico traffic laws to mandate stopping 15-50 feet from the tracks when approaching a crossing if any rail equipment is visible, audible, or blocking the path. This applies to all drivers (Section 66-7-341) and specifically reinforces safety steps for commercial vehicles carrying passengers, hazardous materials, or school buses (Section 66-7-343). The bill expands existing rules to address non-train rail equipment, with exceptions for crossings with active traffic control or official exemptions. The law aims to reduce crossing collisions by requiring proactive observation of all rail traffic.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 6: FOSTERING CONNECTIONS PGM ELIGIBILITY

This bill updates New Mexico's child abuse law to define exposure of a child to Schedule I or II controlled substances (like opioids or methamphetamine) as abuse at birth, with an exception for the mother's legally prescribed medication. It also establishes new rules for temporarily holding newborns without a court order: health professionals (e.g., doctors or nurses) may detain newborns showing withdrawal symptoms or in drug manufacturing environments for up to 24 hours while seeking court approval. The bill clarifies that such temporary custody does not count as an arrest or create a police record. It declares an emergency to take effect immediately.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 217: COUNSELING COMPACT

HB 217, the Counseling Compact, would allow licensed professional counselors in New Mexico to practice across state lines without needing separate licenses in each state. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, directly benefiting counselors seeking to work in multiple states and their clients, including military spouses relocating with active duty service members. Key provisions include requiring counselors to follow the laws of the state where the client is located during care, supporting telehealth delivery of services, and enabling states to share disciplinary and licensing information. The bill aims to improve access to counseling services while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 12: COLLEGE BOARDS OF REGENTS CHANGES, CA

This constitutional amendment (HJR 12) would require members of New Mexico's state college and university boards of regents to uphold specific fiduciary duties, including loyalty, careful management, good faith, and compliance with state laws. It also changes removal procedures: district courts - not the Supreme Court - would handle removals filed by the Attorney General or a majority of the board, for causes like breaches of duty or misconduct. The bill directly affects all regents serving on boards for New Mexico's public higher education institutions, including the University of New Mexico. It does not alter board composition rules (like student member requirements) but adds legal clarity to their responsibilities and removal processes.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 205: CYFD NOMINATING COMMITTEE

HB 205 creates a nine-member nominating committee to select the Secretary of Children, Youth and Families (CYFD) in New Mexico. The committee, appointed by legislative leaders, the governor, and the chief justice, must submit at least five diverse, qualified nominees to the governor for appointment. This replaces the current process by requiring geographical diversity across counties and ensuring nominees are independent of the department. The bill directly affects the governor’s appointment authority for the CYFD Secretary position and the department’s leadership structure.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 365: PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION STAFF

HB 365 transfers oversight of charter schools from New Mexico's Public Education Department to the Public Education Commission. It creates a "State Charter Schools Office" within the Commission to serve as the state chartering authority, replacing the former Charter Schools Division. The bill requires the Commission to oversee charter schools, monitor compliance with state law, and provide nonpartisan advice on charter school operations. This directly affects charter schools, the Commission, and the Public Education Department by restructuring how charter school approvals and oversight are administered.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 81: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT

HB 81, the Occupational Therapy Licensure Interstate Compact, would allow occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses, as long as the patient is located in the state where care is provided. It directly affects licensed occupational therapy professionals seeking to practice across state lines, military spouses relocating with their partners, and patients accessing telehealth services. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, shared disciplinary information between states, accountability for remote practice under local standards, and enhanced telehealth access. The bill preserves each state's regulatory authority over licensure while creating a streamlined framework for interstate practice, though it remains pending after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 124: DEATH OF PROTECTED PERSON OR GUARDIAN

HB 124 clarifies procedures for guardians when a person under their care (a "protected person") or the guardian themselves dies. It requires guardians to notify the court within three days of a protected person's death, obtain a death certificate without court approval, and request court hearings for funeral arrangements or using the estate for funeral costs if no family or will-appointed representative is available. The bill allows guardians to temporarily act as personal representatives to manage the estate, with conservators prioritized for this role if both seek it, and mandates a final court report within 45 days of death. These changes streamline estate handling for vulnerable individuals while ensuring court oversight for key decisions.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 17: COMMISSION ON REDUCTION OF GROCERY COSTS

HB 17 creates a 9-member commission to study factors driving high grocery costs in New Mexico, focusing on essential items like milk, eggs, produce, and bread. The commission must evaluate supply chains, price gouging laws, local food production support, and federal trade impacts, then submit specific recommendations by November 15, 2025. It is funded with $400,000 from the general fund to conduct this study, with members required to represent diverse backgrounds and expertise. The bill does not enact new laws but mandates a report to guide future policy.

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 247: PUBLICATION OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL INFO

SB 247 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to publish annual results of state-approved science, math, and English language arts assessments by September 1 each year. It mandates the department to include statewide performance trends and disaggregated data broken down by student demographics (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, special education status) and school-level performance. The results must be published in an easily accessible, user-friendly format on a dedicated website maintained by the department. This directly affects public schools, parents, educators, and students by making assessment data more transparent and available for review. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 330: LAND GRANT-MERCED & ACEQUIA INFRASTRUCTURE

HB 330 creates a trust fund to provide infrastructure funding for New Mexico's land grant-merced communities and acequias (traditional irrigation systems). The bill establishes two project funds: one for land grant-merced communities to support water systems, roads, health facilities, and economic development projects, and another for acequias to fund irrigation repairs, flood protection, and water efficiency improvements. Annual distributions from the trust fund will finance these projects through grants and loans, with specific eligibility rules set by a land grant council and the water commission. The bill is currently pending in the New Mexico Senate after passing the House but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation