New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 306: PROHIBIT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITY FEES

HB 306 prohibits hospitals from charging patients facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth services starting January 1, 2027. It exempts critical access hospitals, rural sole community hospitals, and emergency department services (both hospital-based and freestanding). The bill requires hospitals to notify patients about potential facility fees before appointments and during care, display bilingual signage, and provide itemized bills showing these charges. Hospitals must also report facility fee data to the state's All-Payer Claims Database for transparency and analysis.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HJR 5: LEGISLATIVE COMPENSATION, CA

HJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to tie New Mexico state legislators' annual compensation to the state's median household income. Under this change, legislative pay would automatically increase if the median income rises and decrease if it falls, with adjustments made annually based on economic data. The amendment would take effect for legislators serving in the 59th Legislature (starting in 2028) and requires voter approval in the 2028 general election. This directly affects all state legislators by linking their salary to broader economic conditions rather than fixed rates.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 66: HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL LOAN FUND CHANGES

HB 66 updates New Mexico's health professional loan repayment program. It creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients of loan repayment awards, replacing the previous commission. The bill requires applicants to be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or to agree to relocate and begin practice there. The Higher Education Department will determine award amounts and administer the program, with new criteria for selecting applicants and allowing fees if recipients breach their service agreements. This affects health professionals seeking repayment for education loans in exchange for practicing in the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 30: REPORTING OF INDUCED ABORTIONS

SB 30 repeals a state law requiring healthcare providers to report induced abortions to the New Mexico Department of Health. This change removes a specific data collection requirement that previously applied to abortion providers. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and providers performing abortions, as they will no longer need to submit these reports. The key provision is the outright removal of Section 24-14-18 NMSA 1978 from state law, eliminating the reporting obligation without creating new requirements. The bill was referred to relevant committees and passed committee reports in early 2026.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 3: COMMITMENT PROCEDURE CHANGES & DEFINITIONS

SB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 184: INVESTMENT OF CONSERVATION & LEGACY FUNDS

HB 184 reorganizes New Mexico's conservation funding by transferring the entire balance of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund into the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and establishing new investment and distribution rules. It requires the Conservation Legacy Fund to be invested under the prudent investor rule, sets annual distributions from the Conservation Legacy Fund to the Land of Enchantment Fund at 5% of its three-year average value, and specifies how funds from the Land of Enchantment Fund must be allocated. Specifically, 22.5% goes to the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department for forest/watershed projects, 22.5% to the University Board for agricultural programs, 10% to the Environment Department for water quality, 15% to Economic Development for outdoor recreation, 8% to Cultural Affairs, and 22% to Wildlife for conservation programs. Unspent funds from these allocations revert to the Conservation Legacy Fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 152: LOW-INCOME TELECOMM. ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

SB 152 establishes a new Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program in New Mexico, replacing the previous "Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act." The program directly affects low-income residents who qualify for telecom service assistance, waiving specific fees including the 911 emergency surcharge and telecommunications relay service surcharge. Key provisions include restructuring the existing broadband program, setting budget caps for the state rural universal service fund, and requiring regular reporting on program administration. The bill repeals the outdated Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act to streamline eligibility and funding under the new framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 48: STATE FAIRGROUNDS DISTRICT BONDS

SB 48 authorizes the State Fairgrounds District to issue up to $92 million in bonds, secured by portions of the state's gross receipts tax and gaming tax distributions. This bill directly affects the State Fairgrounds District, enabling it to borrow funds for district projects under existing financial authority. The bonds must be repaid using designated tax revenues, as specified in the State Fairgrounds District Act. This is a procedural authorization for financing, not a new policy change.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 63: NMFA WATER PROJECT FUND PROJECTS

HB 63 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans or grants from the Water Project Fund to 53 specific local entities across New Mexico, including cities, counties, tribes, and water districts. The bill directs funding for concrete water infrastructure projects such as water storage, treatment, recycling, flood prevention, and wastewater systems in communities like Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. It establishes that these projects must align with terms set by the Water Trust Board and the Finance Authority, using existing state funds without creating new taxes. The legislation directly affects local governments and water providers by enabling specific, funded infrastructure improvements to address water management needs.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 101: HEALTH CARE DELIVERY & ACCESS ACT REPEAL

SB 101 repeals a delayed repeal of New Mexico's Health Care Delivery and Access Act (enacted in 2024). It specifically removes Section 13 of Laws 2024, Chapter 41, which had postponed the original act's repeal. This action restores the full provisions of the Health Care Delivery and Access Act, meaning it directly affects healthcare providers and patients covered under the original legislation. The bill does not change the act's content but ensures it remains in effect without further delay.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 20: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

SB 20 would change how health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers handle prior authorization for prescription drugs in New Mexico. It prohibits requiring prior authorization for medications treating serious mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder), ensuring patients can access these drugs without delays. For drugs managing chronic conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), the bill limits prior authorization reviews to once every three years instead of more frequent checks. The law also requires the state insurance office to standardize the process, create a uniform form for requests, and monitor compliance to prevent unnecessary delays in care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 99: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CHANGES

HB 99 clarifies definitions in New Mexico's Medical Malpractice Act and makes three key changes: it limits punitive damages in malpractice cases, clarifies who qualifies as a "health care provider" (including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and independent doctors), and requires payments from the Patient's Compensation Fund to be made as medical expenses are incurred rather than in lump sums. The bill directly affects health care providers (such as doctors, hospitals, and clinics), insurers, and patients filing malpractice claims. Key mechanisms include updating legal definitions to distinguish between hospital-controlled facilities and independent providers, capping punitive damages (though the exact amount isn't specified in the excerpt), and changing how compensation fund payments are processed. These changes aim to streamline claims handling while clarifying legal responsibilities for medical malpractice cases.

Topics ✗ Healthcare