New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 197: RATON ANIMAL SHELTER SERVICES

SB 197 provides $2.5 million in state funding for the Raton Animal Shelter during fiscal year 2027. The bill directs the Department of Finance and Administration to contract for spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and physical improvements at the shelter. This funding directly supports the shelter's operations and the animals it serves in Raton, New Mexico. Any unspent funds at year-end would return to the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 195: SOIL & WATER DISTRICT TRAINING & OUTREACH

SB 195 appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration for fiscal year 2027. This funding contracts training and outreach services specifically for elected supervisors serving on soil and water conservation districts statewide. The bill directly affects local district officials by providing resources to enhance their capacity in conservation management. Any unspent funds at year-end revert to the general fund, ensuring the appropriation is limited to one fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 250: TECH & INNOVATION NETWORK ADVISORY BOARD

HB 250 changes the membership structure of New Mexico's Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board. It removes representatives from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Navajo Technical University, and Central New Mexico Community College as core members, and reduces public members from 11 to nine. The nine public members must now have experience in investment or entrepreneurial support specifically within four target sectors: aerospace/space, biosciences, clean energy/water, and advanced computing. These changes streamline board representation without altering the board’s core duties of advising on strategic planning, industry engagement, and funding recommendations for the state’s technology division.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 189: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

SB 189 requires all group health insurance plans in New Mexico (including employer self-insurance) to cover specific reproductive and gender-affirming care without deductibles, copays, or prior authorization. It mandates coverage for abortion care, gender-affirming care, contraception (including no cost-sharing for required services), and establishes a special enrollment period for pregnancy-related coverage. The bill applies to most plans but excludes high-deductible plans until the deductible is met and short-term/limited-benefit plans. This directly affects insurers and enrollees by removing financial barriers to these services under New Mexico's Health Care Purchasing Act.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 20: NATIVE AMERICAN DESIGNATION ON LICENSES

HB 20 requires New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division to add a Native American designation to driver's licenses and identification cards when requested by applicants who provide tribal documentation. It directly affects Native American applicants in New Mexico who can verify tribal membership through an enhanced tribal card, tribal ID, certificate of Indian blood, or tribal/BIA affidavit. The bill mandates that the designation must not specify a particular tribe or pueblo, and cannot include personal information beyond what is needed to confirm tribal membership. This policy change allows tribal members to have their cultural identity recognized on official state IDs without revealing specific tribal affiliations.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 190: HOMELESSNESS SERVICES FOR LGBTQ+

HB 190 appropriates $1 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department for fiscal year 2027 to provide eviction prevention and housing assistance specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill directly affects LGBTQ+ New Mexicans facing housing instability by funding targeted support services. Key provisions include mandatory use of funds for housing-related aid during 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by year-end. The legislation focuses on concrete funding allocation without altering eligibility rules or creating new mandates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 22: FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT BENEFITS

House Memorial 22 (HM 22) is a non-binding memorial requesting that the New Mexico Association of Counties and New Mexico Municipal League inform their members about the benefits of forming flood control districts under the existing Flood Control District Act (NMSA 1978, Chapter 72, Article 18). It aims to raise awareness among local and regional governments about using this established legal framework to address flood risks, particularly following wildfires and climate change impacts that increase flooding. The memorial does not create new laws or funding but encourages proactive planning through existing state law. It directly affects county and municipal governments by providing information about a pre-existing tool for flood management.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 170: UNM BASIC NEEDS PROJECT

HB 170 appropriates $1.4 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Board of Regents for its Basic Needs Project during fiscal year 2027. The funds will support UNM's existing program addressing student needs like food and housing insecurity. Any unspent money at year-end must revert to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM students through its funding mechanism, with no new policy requirements beyond the financial allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 42: FROZEN FOOD FOR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES

HB 42 allocates $200,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Aging and Long-Term Services Department for fiscal year 2027. The funds will contract with providers to supply frozen food, including medically tailored meals, to communities facing high food insecurity, limited healthy food access, and populations with medical conditions requiring special diets. The bill directly affects vulnerable residents in these underserved communities by improving access to nutritious, condition-specific food options. Any unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 170: CHILD CARE FACILITY DONATION TAX CREDIT

SB 170 creates a tax credit for New Mexico taxpayers who donate money to licensed child care facilities serving children under 12. Individuals and businesses can claim a credit equal to their donation (up to $500,000 annually), reducing their state income tax bill or receiving a refund if the credit exceeds taxes owed. To qualify, donations must be monetary, go to facilities meeting state enrollment standards for child care subsidies, and be certified by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. The total annual credit value across all taxpayers is capped at $10 million, with applications processed in order of receipt. This policy directly affects donors and licensed child care facilities, aiming to support child care access through tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 127: MEDICAL BOARD EXPEDITED LICENSURE

HB 127 requires the New Mexico Medical Board to grant expedited licenses to physicians already licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or foreign countries who meet all other licensing criteria. It also mandates the creation of a public registry for out-of-state telehealth providers, requiring them to maintain active licenses elsewhere, carry professional liability insurance, and avoid physical offices or in-state patient interactions in New Mexico. The bill directly affects out-of-state physicians seeking to practice medicine or provide telehealth services in New Mexico, and imposes new administrative duties on the Medical Board. Key provisions include standardized application requirements for the registry, public disclosure of provider details, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary actions against their out-of-state licenses. The bill repeals an outdated section of existing law to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

vetoed · New Mexico · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 96: SPACE COMMISSION WORKING GROUP

HB 96 creates a temporary working group to study the feasibility of establishing a state space commission in New Mexico. The group, appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders with aerospace expertise, must develop recommendations on the commission's structure, scope, and board design by October 1, 2026. It will identify key aerospace stakeholders, outline a strategic plan including workforce pathways, and propose a budget framework. The working group will report findings to the economic development committee, with $200,000 allocated for its administrative support. This bill does not create a commission but sets the process for evaluating one.

Bill results