New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 164: INCREASE RETIREE COLA

HB 164 would increase cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for certain retired public employees in New Mexico. It provides a fixed 2% annual COLA for state retirees over 65 who retired before June 30, 2025, and a 2.5% annual COLA for retirees with 25+ years of service and disability retirees, effective July 1, 2025. The bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund to cover the 2% increase, with unspent funds carried forward to future years. This replaces the previous formula-based COLA calculation for these groups, guaranteeing a higher minimum increase than the prior system allowed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 298: 10-YEAR EXEMPT HEALTH PRACTITIONERS FROM TAX

SB 298 exempts specific licensed health care practitioners in New Mexico from state income tax on income earned from providing health care services within the state. The bill applies to 9 professions, including chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, physicians, and physical therapists, who must practice full-time in New Mexico. The exemption covers taxable years ending before January 1, 2035 (effectively 2025-2034). It does not create new taxes but removes an existing tax liability for qualifying professionals.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 266: SUPERVISION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

HB 266 eliminates a requirement that physician assistants (PAs) in New Mexico must maintain a formal supervising or collaborating relationship with a licensed physician to practice. This change directly affects PAs by allowing them to practice independently after initial licensure, removing the need for ongoing physician oversight. The bill amends Section 61-6C-3 of the state law to state that PAs "may practice independently" without supervision, while keeping other requirements like biennial certification and fees intact. The key mechanism is the repeal of the supervision mandate, shifting PAs toward greater autonomy within their scope of practice.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SJR 5: CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

New Mexico's Senate Joint Resolution 5 (SJR 5) requests Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution seeks to propose amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on federal spending, limit the federal government's power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. This application, formally submitted by New Mexico's legislature, remains active until two-thirds of states apply for the same purpose. The bill directly affects the federal legislative process by initiating a state-level application for constitutional change, though it does not alter current laws or directly impact New Mexico residents.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 12: INCREASE PAY FOR MEDICAL SPECIALTY PROVIDERS

Senate Memorial 12 is a non-binding request asking the Legislative Finance Committee to study options for increasing pay for medical specialty providers in New Mexico. It cites challenges like low Medicaid reimbursement rates (60-70% of Medicare rates for procedures), high reliance on government insurance (only 25% of billing from commercial markets), and long patient wait times (6-18 months for specialists). The memorial specifically requests $200,000 to fund a contractor for the study, aiming to identify ways to make New Mexico competitive in recruiting and retaining these providers. This resolution does not change current pay rates but seeks to inform future legislative action on provider compensation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 17: TERMINATION OF DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY, CA

HJR 17 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Mexico governors' emergency powers. It would require any state of emergency declaration issued by the governor to automatically end after 90 days unless the legislature passes a joint resolution extending it with a three-fifths vote in both chambers. The bill also gives the legislature authority to call itself into session to extend, modify, or terminate emergency declarations. This change would directly affect governors' emergency authority and the legislature's role in overseeing prolonged emergencies. The amendment must be approved by voters after legislative passage, as it amends the state constitution.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 259: OIL & GAS ACT VIOLATION PENALTIES

HB 259 increases fines and fees for oil and gas companies violating New Mexico's regulations. It raises daily penalty limits from $2,500 to $10,000 for standard violations (up to $25,000 daily if health/safety risks exist) and sets a new maximum total penalty of $3.65 million for division/commission actions. The bill also hikes application fees (e.g., drilling permits from $500 to $1,500) and requires annual inflation adjustments starting in 2027. These changes directly affect oil and gas operators, permit applicants, and companies subject to the Oil and Gas Act.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 96: PERA MEMBER TEMPORARY PAYMENT

HB 96 provides a temporary 2% annual payment on top of regular pension benefits for eligible retired members of New Mexico's Public Employees Retirement Act (PERA) during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This non-compounding payment applies to retirees who have met specific eligibility criteria, such as having retired for at least two full years prior to the adjustment date. The bill appropriates $66 million from the general fund to cover these payments, which are calculated as 2% of each retiree's current pension amount (including prior adjustments). It does not affect current cost-of-living adjustments but adds this temporary benefit for qualifying retirees during the specified two-year period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 6: JOINT CONSENT TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

Senate Memorial 6 requests the New Mexico Department of Health to study whether revising the Children's Code to allow joint parental and minor consent (for youth aged 14-17) for mental health treatment - instead of the current rule permitting minors to refuse treatment - could improve outcomes. The study will compare New Mexico's youth mental health data with states having similar "joint consent" laws, focusing on whether such policies reduce residential treatment use, juvenile justice involvement, or mental health emergencies. It does not change current law but seeks data to inform future policy decisions. The Department of Health must report findings to the legislative health committee by November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 156: LOW-INCOME UTILITY USERS

SB 156 adds a definition for "low-income customer" to New Mexico's Public Utility Act and exempts these customers from additional fees ("rate riders") imposed when new customers connect to utility systems. It directly affects low-income households using electricity, gas, or water services who qualify under the new definition. The bill's key mechanism is creating a formal definition for "low-income customer" and mandating that utilities exclude these households from certain cost-sharing fees. This change aims to reduce financial burdens on eligible low-income utility users by preventing them from paying extra costs tied to new infrastructure connections.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 10: ALLOW VOTING WITH FELONY CONVICTION, CA

This bill proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to remove felony convictions as a barrier to voting. It would allow individuals with felony convictions to vote again once they've completed their sentences, provided they meet other standard voter requirements like residency and registration. The amendment would change the constitution's language to eliminate the current restriction on voting rights for people convicted of felonies. If approved by voters, this change would directly affect thousands of New Mexicans who are otherwise eligible to vote but were previously barred due to past felony convictions. The resolution must be approved by voters at the next general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 205: STATE OFFICE OF HOUSING PLANNING & PRODUCTION

SB 205 creates a new Office of Housing Planning and Production within New Mexico's Department of Finance and Administration to coordinate statewide housing efforts. The office will develop a strategy to reduce housing costs and increase availability - including for low-income and homeless households - by analyzing zoning rules, building codes, construction costs, and promoting innovative housing solutions like modular homes. It requires annual data collection on housing needs, market conditions, and program impacts to track progress toward state goals and identify geographic gaps. The office will provide technical assistance to local governments, tribes, and regional entities to improve housing regulations and grow local housing capacity. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results