SB 28 redirects all revenue from New Mexico's corporate income tax to the state road fund instead of the general fund. This bill directly affects businesses paying corporate income tax and changes how that revenue is allocated, shifting it from general state funding to road maintenance and construction. The key provision, effective July 1, 2026, mandates that "net receipts attributable to the corporate income tax" be distributed to the state road fund per Section 7-1-6.1 of the Tax Administration Act. This is a concrete policy change in revenue allocation with no tax rate adjustments.
HB 462 increases the notice period landlords must provide to tenants for nonpayment of rent from three days to ten days. If rent is unpaid, landlords must give written notice specifying the unpaid amount and stating the lease will terminate ten days after the notice is delivered, rather than three. This directly affects renters facing eviction for missed payments and landlords seeking to end leases due to nonpayment. The bill amends New Mexico’s Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act to extend the notice period, aiming to give tenants more time to pay rent before eviction proceedings begin. The change applies specifically to nonpayment cases, not other lease violations.
HB 115 appropriates $859,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2026. This funding directly supports an organization in Dona Ana County that provides long-term residential treatment using a soteria model for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and psychosis. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at year-end must revert to the general fund. The bill was referred to committees and later postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
HB 542 creates a $7,000 refundable income tax credit for New Mexico residents who give birth to a child during the taxable year. It directly affects new parents who are state residents, not claimed as dependents by another individual, and requires certification through the Children, Youth and Families Department. The credit is claimed within three years of certification, with any amount exceeding the taxpayer's liability refunded. The policy applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and would be included in the state's tax expenditure budget. (Note: The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.)
SB 74 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases in New Mexico, meaning prosecutors can pursue charges at any time after the crime occurs. It also raises the age for "sexual exploitation of children by prostitution" from 16 to 18 years old and adds human trafficking to the definition of "racketeering." The bill prohibits certain defenses in human trafficking prosecutions and expands protections for victims under the Victims of Crime Act. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.
HB 273 amends New Mexico's Renewable Energy Act and Rural Electric Cooperative Act to redefine "renewable energy resource" to include natural gas used in combined cycle technology. This change would allow rural electric cooperatives and public utilities to count natural gas power generation toward their renewable energy requirements. The bill adds natural gas to the list of qualifying resources alongside solar, wind, and geothermal, without requiring additional emissions criteria for this category. The bill passed committee but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. It does not alter the existing "zero carbon" standards for other resources like biomass or hydropower.
SB 506 proposes setting two-tiered maximum insurance payout limits for properties damaged by fire under New Mexico's FAIR Plan. It would limit coverage to $600,000 for properties in areas served by fire departments rated 8-10 (poorer service), and $750,000 for properties in areas served by better-rated departments (rated 1-7). The bill directly affects homeowners in New Mexico who rely on the FAIR Plan for fire insurance in high-risk areas, as it ties coverage amounts to fire department service quality. The key mechanism defines "nationally recognized insurance service" and bases ratings on factors like staffing, equipment, water supply, and emergency systems. The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
HB 342 limits annual increases in property tax valuations for residential properties to 3% (capping at 103% of prior year's value or 106.1% of value from two years prior), excluding new homes, certain improvements (like solar systems), and properties with ownership changes or zoning shifts. It also imposes a temporary 12-year cap (2025-2037) on valuation increases for nonresidential property (businesses). The bill requires homeowners to file affidavits for specific property transfers (with exemptions for family transfers or disasters), updates veteran tax exemption rules to align with recent voter-approved changes, and removes the requirement to mail residential property declarations to owners. Administrative penalties are added for late affidavit filings, and county valuation protest board pay is adjusted for inflation.
HB 407 appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health for shaken baby syndrome prevention. The funding will update educational materials with UNM Pediatrics, require all state hospitals to implement prevention training programs, and establish statewide reporting for cases of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. This bill directly affects hospitals statewide and prevention efforts targeting infant safety. It focuses on concrete policy changes through funding allocation, not legislative mandates. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
This bill creates a new Planning Bureau within New Mexico's Economic Development Department to coordinate statewide growth planning. The bureau must collaborate with state agencies (transportation, environment, housing authorities), regional commissions, and tribal nations (upon request) to develop a comprehensive plan focused on jobs, housing, transportation needs, and interagency coordination. It requires the plan to be updated every three years. The bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund to staff the bureau starting in fiscal year 2026, with unspent funds rolling over annually.
SB 27 changes how motor vehicle excise tax revenue is allocated in New Mexico. It eliminates the current 59.39% distribution to the general fund and increases the allocation to the State Road Fund from 21.86% to 81.25%, with the remaining 18.75% going to the Transportation Project Fund. This policy shift directly affects state budget priorities by redirecting tax revenue toward road infrastructure. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026.
HJR 15 proposes adding a clear constitutional prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude to New Mexico's state constitution. It would amend Article 2, Section 4 to explicitly state that "slavery and involuntary servitude in any form are prohibited" for all residents. The amendment would require voter approval at the next general election or a special election called for that purpose. This change directly affects all New Mexicans by formally embedding a ban on slavery into the state's foundational law.
