New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 543: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

Based solely on the provided context, there is no substantive bill text or summary describing SB 543's specific provisions, mechanisms, or policy changes. The bill's title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is broad and generic, but no concrete details about its content or affected parties are included in the materials. The bill was referred to the Senate Conservation Committee and later had "action postponed indefinitely" on June 3, 2025, indicating it did not advance. Without additional details on the bill's actual provisions, a factual policy summary cannot be generated.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 215: NO USE OF AI FOR RENT MANIPULATION

HB 215 prohibits landlords and property owners from using artificial intelligence tools to coordinate rent pricing across multiple properties. It bans services that analyze rental data (like historical prices or lease terms) from multiple landlords to recommend similar rent increases or manipulate market competition. The bill also allows tenants harmed by such coordinated pricing to sue in court. This directly affects rental property owners using AI-driven pricing tools and tenants facing artificially inflated rents due to anti-competitive practices.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 35: SEPARATE SHOOTING FROM MOTOR VEHICLE CRIMES

SB 35 separates "shooting at a motor vehicle" and "shooting from a motor vehicle" into distinct crimes under New Mexico law. It increases penalties: shooting at a vehicle is always a second-degree felony, while shooting from a vehicle is a third-degree felony without injury or second-degree with injury. The bill mandates vehicle forfeiture when used in these offenses and requires automatic driver's license revocation for convictions. It also classifies both offenses as violent felonies for sentencing purposes under New Mexico's three-strikes law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 200: ADDITIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM UNITS

HB 200 adds two new funding categories to New Mexico's school finance system for teachers certified in bilingual education and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). School districts earn one program unit per bilingual-certified teacher and half a unit per TESOL-certified teacher, calculated using the state's standard funding rate. To qualify, schools must verify teacher credentials and provide salary increases equal to the unit value. This policy directly affects school districts, charter schools, and educators with these specific teaching endorsements by linking additional funding to certified staff.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 507: ABQ ISOTOPES LICENSE PLATE

HB 507 would create a special New Mexico license plate featuring the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball team, available for a $35 initial fee plus $25 annual renewal. The $12 portion of the initial fee covers plate production costs, while the remaining fee revenue funds UNM's Carrie Tingley Crippled Children's Hospital. The state could stop issuing the plate after 2031 if annual sales drop below 50% of the average from 2026-2031. This affects vehicle owners who choose to purchase the plate, with no direct impact on other drivers or legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 463: CYFD PERINATAL INVESTIGATION & SUPPORT UNIT

HB 463 proposes creating a two-year pilot program within New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to investigate reports of babies born with drug exposure (substance-exposed newborns) and provide family support. The unit would be staffed by trauma-informed professionals using evidence-based care models, coordinating with health departments and early childhood programs. It requires $100,000 in state funding for fiscal years 2026-2027 to cover operations, with unused funds reverting to the general fund. This bill directly affects families of affected newborns, CYFD staff, and healthcare providers who report such cases under existing law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 464: UNM SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FUND & DISTRIBUTION

SB 464 creates a dedicated "University School of Medicine Fund" to support construction and reconstruction projects at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. It redirects 1% of governmental gross receipts tax revenue (specifically from hospital-licensed facilities) into this fund and requires the UNM School of Medicine to deposit $4 million annually from 2025-2034 - using non-state funds - to the new fund. The fund, administered by the Health Care Authority, will be available for legislative appropriation toward building projects at the medical school. This bill establishes a structured funding mechanism but does not guarantee specific spending; it only creates the fund and mandates deposits. The bill was postponed indefinitely by the legislature on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 117: PERA COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS

SB 117 would adjust retirement benefits for New Mexico public employees by linking cost-of-living increases directly to the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income annual adjustments starting July 2026. It applies to eligible retirees (who have been retired 1-2 years) and survivor beneficiaries, replacing previous COLA calculation methods. The bill appropriates $50 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 and beyond to cover these adjustments, with unspent funds carrying forward. This change ensures retirement payments rise at the same rate as Social Security COLAs, providing predictable increases for qualifying recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 4: PREFILING FOR MEMBERS-ELECT

HR 4 allows newly elected New Mexico state representatives (members-elect) to submit bills for consideration before the legislative session begins. The bill amends House rules to let members-elect deposit legislation with the chief clerk between January 2 and the Friday before the session starts, with prefiled bills numbered starting at HB 10 or higher (reserving lower numbers for priority bills like appropriations). These prefiled bills must be publicly available and formally introduced within 72 hours of the session opening. This procedural change streamlines the start of the legislative process for incoming members.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 223: BILINGUAL EDUCATION COST DIFFERENTIAL

HB 223 increases funding for bilingual education programs in New Mexico public schools by raising the cost differential factor used to calculate program units. Starting July 1, 2025, the factor will begin at 0.6 and increase by 0.1 annually until it reaches 1.0 by July 1, 2029. This directly affects schools offering bilingual multicultural education programs, as it will boost state funding for these programs over five years. The bill amends existing funding law without changing program eligibility or requirements.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 170: REQUIRE VOTER I.D.

HB 170 requires New Mexico voters to present identification at polling places and when requesting mail ballots. It allows voters to use photo IDs, utility bills, or other government documents (including tribal IDs) instead of a driver's license for in-person voting, while requiring a driver's license or MVD ID plus Social Security number for mail ballots. The bill mandates the Motor Vehicle Division to issue free voter ID cards and provides free copies of ID documents at government offices. This directly affects all New Mexico voters participating in person or by mail, changing current voting requirements.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 394: UNM-TAOS OBSERVATORY

SB 394 allocates $1.5 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) for constructing the Cielo Centro observatory. The funds cover site preparation, building, equipment, furnishings, and landscaping from fiscal years 2026 through 2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2029. This bill directly provides funding for a specific campus infrastructure project at UNM-Taos. It is a straightforward appropriations measure with no broader policy changes or public impact beyond the university's development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results