New Mexico Bills

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 96: REGULATED CHILD CARE ZONING REQUIREMENTS

SB 96 ensures registered and licensed child care homes (including family and group homes) are treated as standard residential uses under local zoning rules, meaning they cannot be charged extra fees, require special permits, or face stricter parking rules than other single-family homes in the same zone. Licensed child care centers are permitted "by right" in commercial, mixed-use, or multifamily residential zones without additional fees or building restrictions. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing unique regulations on child care facilities that don’t apply to other private residences and clarifies that homeowner associations cannot block or charge fees for child care operations. These provisions aim to reduce regulatory barriers for child care providers while maintaining consistent zoning standards.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 80: OIL & GAS CONSERVATION TAX ACT CHANGES

HB 80 increases funding for New Mexico's Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund by raising the tax distribution percentage from 2/19% to 50% starting July 2027, gradually increasing to 100% through 2037 before returning to 50% after 2037. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators (through higher tax contributions) and the state's energy department (which administers the fund). Key provisions include expanding fund use to cover energy education programs ($150,000 annually) and requiring the department to plug abandoned wells, restore sites, and pursue cost recovery from operators. Funds will be managed under the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department with annual reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 193: ACEQUIA & DITCH INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TRANSFER

This bill increases the annual transfer of funds from the New Mexico Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. It directly affects acequia (traditional community irrigation systems) and local ditch infrastructure projects by providing them with doubled annual funding. The key mechanism is an amendment to existing state statute governing fund allocations, while maintaining a separate $1 million annual transfer to the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and represents a concrete policy shift in water infrastructure funding priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 248: GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS

HB 248 authorizes New Mexico to issue $500 million in general obligation bonds to fund capital projects including senior centers statewide, higher education facilities, and public libraries. The bonds would be paid through a new property tax levy on all taxable property in the state, with principal and interest due over a maximum 10-year term. Voter approval via a statewide referendum at the 2026 general election is required before the bonds can be issued. This bill creates a new state debt obligation backed by the full faith and credit of New Mexico, directly affecting taxpayers through the property tax mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 247: CAPITAL OUTLAY CHANGES

HB 247 limits how New Mexico state agencies can manage capital projects (like construction or equipment purchases) by requiring unspent funds to revert to specific state funds. It prohibits reauthorizing projects more than once or for over two years unless 10% of the initial funds are already committed, and mandates that projects over $100,000 must align with an approved infrastructure plan. Unspent general fund capital appropriations must revert to the Capital Development and Reserve Fund (or Tribal Infrastructure Fund for tribal projects) by specific deadlines, with water projects now requiring state agency grant programs instead of direct legislative funding. The bill updates prior laws (2022-2025) to enforce these reversion timelines and spending rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 124: NEW AMERICANS DIVISION IN WSD

HB 124 creates a New Americans Division within New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department to support immigrants and refugees in the state's workforce. The division will help with job training, streamline license recognition for internationally trained professionals, and connect businesses with immigrant talent. It must report annually on its activities and refugee resettlement impacts, with an initial report due December 2026. This bill directly affects non-citizen residents and refugee resettlement programs in New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment