New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 18: CRIME OF SWATTING

SB 18 creates a new criminal offense for "swatting" in New Mexico, defined as knowingly making a false emergency report to law enforcement or emergency services with the intent to trigger a rapid response. The bill classifies swatting as a fourth-degree felony (same penalty as bomb scares) and increases the penalty for making a shooting threat to a fourth-degree felony. It also requires convicted individuals to reimburse victims for economic harm, including lost wages, business shutdown costs, and other direct financial losses caused by the false report. This law directly affects people who make false emergency reports and victims of such incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 105: SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT

SB 105, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, allows social workers licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed social workers (including clinical, master's, and bachelor's level) and their clients across state lines, particularly supporting military families who relocate frequently. The bill creates a system where a "multistate license" issued by a worker's home state authorizes practice in all compact states, eliminating duplicate application processes and reducing administrative burdens. Key provisions include requiring states to share disciplinary records and enabling social workers to provide services via telehealth across member states while maintaining public safety protections through existing state licensing authority.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 235: SCHOOL MATH CHANGES

SB 235 requires New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to develop math professional learning plans for teachers and implement a math intervention process starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates that math coaches hold specialist endorsements and requires schools to use early math screeners for K-5 students to identify difficulties, with written parental notification and monthly progress updates if a student is identified. The bill also establishes a state math instructional leadership framework for administrators and requires research-based interventions during core instruction or through targeted support. These changes directly affect K-5 students, their parents, school staff, and district administrators. The bill does not specify funding sources but notes implementation depends on available resources.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SJR 15: APPOINTED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, CA

This constitutional amendment (SJR 15) proposes changing New Mexico's education governance structure. It would replace the current elected Public Education Commission with an appointed State Board of Education, which would appoint the Superintendent of Public Instruction to lead the public education department. The amendment keeps the elected commission as the authority for charter schools and retains its existing responsibilities. The proposed changes require voter approval at the next general election.

passed both · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 149: SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING ACT

HB 149 establishes a legal framework for supported decision-making agreements in New Mexico, allowing adults (18+) with disabilities to voluntarily partner with supporters to help them understand options and make their own life decisions. The bill requires agreements to be in writing, signed by both parties without coercion, and specifies that supporters may only assist - never make decisions for - the supported individual. Key provisions include a presumption of capacity for all adults (regardless of disability), prohibitions against supporters making decisions or self-dealing, and clear limits on information access. The law also creates a state program within the Office of Guardianship to oversee these agreements and protects third parties who rely on them in good faith.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 180: SELF-SERVICE STORAGE RENTAL CHANGES

SB 180 amends New Mexico's Self-Service Storage Lien Act to change key rules for storage facility owners and renters. It reduces the required default period before a facility owner can sell stored items from 90 to 45 days, shortens the timeline for denying access (from 5 to 30 days), and requires rental agreements to include space for renters to designate an alternative contact to receive lien notices. The bill also mandates specific notice details for owners, including itemized payment demands and a 15-day payment window before sale, while clarifying that renters must provide their address and contact information. These changes directly affect both storage facility owners (who enforce liens) and renters (whose stored property may be sold if rent is unpaid).

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 13: DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

HB 13 requires New Mexico electric utilities to create detailed distribution system plans by 2027, including mapping grid capacity, setting connection time targets for new customers, and outlining strategies for grid upgrades to meet decarbonization goals. It mandates annual reports tracking connection times and requires utilities to develop "beneficial electrification" plans - converting non-electric energy use (like gas heating) to efficient electric systems - with cost recovery allowed through approved rate changes. Utilities must also provide quarterly online access to grid capacity data and follow minimum wage rules for related construction work. This directly affects all New Mexico electric utilities providing retail service, requiring them to plan for grid modernization and electrification while ensuring cost transparency.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 63: RETIREMENT OF STATE FLAG

This bill establishes procedures for retiring New Mexico state flags that are no longer usable. It requires disposal through burning or another dignified method (like a public ceremony with military or patriotic groups) to honor the flag's significance. The bill applies directly to state agencies responsible for managing official flags, ensuring their retirement follows respectful protocols.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 453: HOUSING CREDITWORTHINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

HB 453 creates New Mexico's Creditworthiness Assistance Program, administered by the state mortgage finance authority. It provides grants to help eligible individuals (participants in approved credit education programs) cover up to $5,000 in unpaid rent per person or $2,500 for property damages caused while renting. The program is funded through a new Creditworthiness Assistance Fund and requires participants to complete budgeting and credit history training. It directly affects low-income renters struggling with rent arrears or property damage claims, offering financial relief to improve their credit standing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 20: INCREASE CIGARETTE & TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAXES

SB 20 increases cigarette and tobacco product taxes in New Mexico, directly affecting consumers who purchase these products. It raises tax rates, expands the definition of "tobacco product" to include all nicotine sources, and creates a new Nicotine Use Prevention and Control Fund. Revenue from the tax increases will fund state health programs targeting youth and young adults (ages 5-25) to prevent nicotine use, administered by the Department of Health with funds distributed to specific health initiatives like cancer centers and rural treatment programs. The bill also adjusts existing tax distribution formulas for state health programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJM 9: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTERIM COMMITTEE

HJM 9 is a procedural joint memorial requesting the New Mexico Legislative Council to create a special interim committee focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy. The committee would examine AI's impact on industries, government, and daily life - including concerns about bias, security, and workforce changes - and address New Mexico's lack of comprehensive data privacy laws. It would hold hearings, gather stakeholder input from businesses, consumers, and experts, and develop recommendations for future legislation in 2026. This bill does not create new laws but sets up a process to inform potential future regulations affecting residents, businesses, and state agencies. The committee's work would align with national trends while reflecting New Mexico's unique needs, such as its technology sector and national laboratories.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 394: CLEAN ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

HB 394 creates a 17-member Clean Energy and Natural Resources Advisory Board within New Mexico's Energy Department, appointed by the Energy Secretary with gubernatorial approval. The board includes specific industry experts (e.g., renewable energy, oil/gas, forestry, academia) to provide annual advice to the Energy Secretary, governor, and legislative committees on clean energy implementation. It requires biannual meetings, establishes subcommittees, and is funded with $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the Senate on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment