New Mexico Bills

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 332: CAPITAL OUTLAY REAUTHORIZATIONS

HB 332 reauthorizes and adjusts the use of existing state funds for specific capital projects, primarily extending their spending deadlines to fiscal year 2028 and modifying project purposes. It changes the original use of funds for the Lea County courthouse renovation (now for general county buildings) and expands the Albuquerque youth facility project to include young adults. The bill also extends timelines for a Navajo Nation bridge project and redirects unspent funds from a Curry County recreation complex to renovate a local park. These adjustments apply to previously appropriated funds without creating new spending, focusing on managing unspent balances from prior legislative actions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 240: CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS

SB 240 authorizes New Mexico to issue bonds funded by severance taxes (taxes on oil, gas, and mineral extraction) to finance state capital projects like building construction, vehicle purchases, and equipment. It requires state agencies to certify their need for funds by the end of 2028 and to spend at least 5% of the bond proceeds within six months and 85% within three years of receiving the money. Unspent funds must be returned to the state treasury by 2030 or within six months of project completion, whichever comes first, preventing long-term budgeting of unused funds. This ensures timely project spending while holding agencies accountable for efficient use of bond proceeds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 273: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

This bill, introduced by five New Mexico state senators, is currently in the legislative process but no specific policy changes or provisions are detailed in the provided text. The bill relates to public peace, health, safety, and welfare, but the actual content of the legislation has not been included in the information given. Without access to the full bill text, it is impossible to describe what specific actions the bill would take or which groups it would directly affect. The summary cannot be completed as the necessary details about the bill's mechanisms and provisions are missing from the provided information.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2: GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT OF 2026

HB 2, the General Appropriation Act of 2026, allocates funding for New Mexico's state government operations during fiscal year 2027. It directs $55 million from the general fund to legislative agencies and $496 million from the general fund to the judiciary, with additional amounts from other funding sources. The bill requires unspent funds at year-end to automatically return to the general fund by October 1, 2026 and 2027, and establishes accounting rules for tracking revenue and expenditures. This bill affects all state agencies by setting their budget allocations and spending rules for the 2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

vetoed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 153: LOW-CARBON CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL REBATE ACT

HB 153 establishes a state rebate program to incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as cement, steel, and glass, in eligible projects (over one residential unit or 5,000 square feet of nonresidential space). Material buyers (e.g., developers or contractors) can receive rebates for purchasing materials meeting emissions benchmarks set by the Department of Environment - 15% below industry-average greenhouse gas emissions - verified through independently assessed environmental product declarations. Rebates are capped at $500,000 per project and $10 million statewide annually, with priority given to projects achieving the greatest emissions reductions and using New Mexico-made materials. The program requires annual reporting on emissions reductions and includes strict antifraud measures, including penalties for false claims.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 151: CORPORATE INCOME TAX CHANGES

SB 151 adjusts New Mexico's corporate tax calculation to better align with federal rules for certain income types. It modifies the state's definition of "base income" by adding back specific federal deductions (like interest from state bonds) and subtracting amounts for bonus depreciation and interest expenses that the federal government allows. This bill directly affects corporations operating in New Mexico that file federal tax returns, particularly those with income from controlled foreign corporations. The key change ensures New Mexico's tax calculation accounts for federal adjustments related to foreign income and depreciation, while applying standard apportionment rules to attributed income.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

vetoed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 180: USE OF EMERGENCY FUNDS & DISASTERS

HB 180 clarifies and expands how New Mexico uses state emergency funds. It renames the "Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund" to the "Executive Order for Disasters Fund" and allows the governor to spend these funds for non-natural disasters (like civil unrest or state of martial law) or natural disasters, subject to legislative approval. The bill requires state agencies to report annually to legislative committees on how these funds were used for non-natural disaster responses. This affects state agencies managing disaster response and the legislature that controls funding approvals.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 256: DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS

HB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 264: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

The bill text for SB 264 contains no substantive provisions or policy language beyond its title and introductory header. The provided context only includes the bill's title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE"), sponsor names, and procedural history (e.g., committee substitutions and passage through the House). No specific mechanisms, affected groups, or policy changes are described in the text. Therefore, a factual summary of the bill's content cannot be generated from the available information.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 241: CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT

SB 241 creates a state-run child care assistance program administered by New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department. It provides funding to licensed child care facilities for eligible children under 13 (or under 19 if disabled or under court supervision), primarily benefiting low-income families where parents or guardians are employed, in school, homeless, or participating in approved programs like job training. Eligibility requires household income below 600% of the federal poverty level, with income documentation and proof of New Mexico residency. The program excludes children enrolled in Head Start, early pre-K, or pre-K programs during those hours, and allows temporary eligibility for up to 90 days while seeking employment.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 73: DRIVER'S ED REQUIREMENTS

SB 73 requires all approved driver education courses in New Mexico schools to include at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and wheelchair users. This directly affects driver education schools, instructors, and students in public and private secondary schools across the state. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this specific training component as part of minimum course standards. It defines "vulnerable road users" broadly to include anyone not protected by a vehicle's structure, like those on bikes, scooters, or walking. The policy change aims to improve road safety awareness through standardized curriculum updates.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 70: PRC SUPPORT AGENCY

HB 70 creates a "Utility Oversight Fund" to manage fees, interest, and penalties collected from public utilities under New Mexico's Public Utility Act. The bill clarifies that the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is distinct from its supporting "agency," and requires all fees paid by utilities to be deposited into this new fund instead of general state accounts. The fund will be administered by the PRC to cover its operational costs, with disbursements made via state treasurer warrants. This bill primarily affects public utilities that pay fees and the PRC staff managing the fund, streamlining financial oversight without altering utility regulations or consumer protections.

Bill results