New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 153: PROTECT REPORTERS FROM EXPLOITATIVE SPYING

HB 153, the "Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act," prevents New Mexico state entities from forcing journalists or their service providers to disclose protected information without court approval. It specifically bars compelled disclosure of sources, notes, or communications related to journalism unless a court finds, by preponderance of evidence, that disclosure is necessary to prevent terrorism or imminent violence threatening serious harm. The law requires courts to notify journalists before granting disclosure orders (with limited 45-day delays for urgent investigations) and mandates that any compelled information be narrowly tailored and relevant. It directly affects journalists, their personal devices/accounts, and service providers like telecom companies, while explicitly allowing investigations into journalists suspected of crimes unrelated to their work.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 40: STUDY OFFICE OF PEACE

This memorial (HM 40) requests the New Mexico Legislative Council to form a 7-member study group to examine whether creating a state Office of Peace is feasible. The group, appointed by the University of New Mexico School of Law, would include experts from peace-building, restorative justice, education, military/law enforcement, legal studies, labor, and community relations. The study must be completed by November 2025, with findings and recommendations submitted to the legislature. It does not create the office but assesses its potential impact on conflict resolution and safety efforts across New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 610: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

Based solely on the provided context, HB 610 has no substantive text or policy details available for summary. The bill was introduced by Representative D. Wonda Johnson in New Mexico's 2025 legislative session, but its title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is a broad category without specific provisions described. The bill was referred to the House Rules and Order of Business Committee on February 20, 2025, and its action was later postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. Without further bill text or summary content in the context, no concrete policy changes or affected parties can be identified.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 367: MEDICAL SPANISH EDUCATION PROGRAM

SB 367 would appropriate $350,000 from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center for a Spanish-language medical curriculum. The funds would support curriculum development and implementation through the Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, directly benefiting health sciences students preparing for healthcare roles in Spanish-speaking communities. The program would operate during fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by year-end 2027. This bill focuses on enhancing language training for future healthcare providers without altering existing healthcare policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 528: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

The provided context does not include the actual provisions or content of SB 528, so a substantive summary of its policy changes cannot be generated. The bill's title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is a broad category, but no specific mechanisms or affected parties are described in the available text. It was introduced by Senator Michael Padilla in the 2025 New Mexico legislature and was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025. Without the bill's text or detailed summary, concrete policy details cannot be identified.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 377: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUATION CHANGES

HB 377 changes how residential property taxes are calculated in New Mexico. It updates the definition of "residential property" and requires valuation authorities to use specific methods for properties owned by a single taxpayer across multiple parcels or contiguous tracts, treating them as a single unit for tax purposes. The bill also mandates that property tax notices include comparable sales data used in valuation and prohibits penalties for late taxes if notices weren't mailed on time. These changes directly affect residential property owners, especially those with multiple properties in one county, by altering how their tax value is determined and calculated.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 474: TRAIL LIFE USE LICENSE PLATE

HB 474 would create a special Trail Life USA license plate for New Mexico vehicle owners, costing $35 initially and $30 annually to renew. Revenue from these fees would fund plate production ($12 per plate) and state parks development ($23 per plate), with the parks division receiving all renewal fees. The program would automatically end after 2031 if annual plate issuance drops below 50% of the average from 2026-2031. As of June 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely and is not yet law.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 176: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CHANGES

SB 176 sets new limits on recoverable damages in New Mexico medical malpractice cases, capping total non-punitive awards per injury based on provider type and year (e.g., $750,000 for hospitals in 2022, rising to $6 million by 2027 with annual inflation adjustments). It requires payments from the Patient Compensation Fund to be made as medical expenses occur, directs 75% of punitive damages to the state, and creates a Patient Safety Improvement Fund. The bill also limits attorney fees in malpractice claims and adjusts caps annually using the consumer price index. These changes directly affect patients filing malpractice suits, healthcare providers, and the state’s compensation and safety funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 310: RESPONSIBLE ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY END OF LIFE

HB 310 prohibits landfilling of electric vehicle batteries in New Mexico and requires end-of-life batteries to be managed through a hierarchy prioritizing reuse, repair, remanufacturing, or repurposing before recycling. Battery providers (including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers) are responsible for end-of-life management unless a secondary handler or user modifies the battery, in which case that entity becomes responsible. The bill defines key terms like "secondary handler" (entities that sort or prepare batteries for reuse) and "specialized battery recycler" (facilities authorized to extract materials), and restricts commercial haulers and solid waste facilities from accepting batteries for disposal. This directly affects battery sellers, recyclers, and waste management facilities by mandating specific handling procedures for electric vehicle batteries.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 299: STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTRUCTOR PERA

HB 299 would create a new category of retirement member for law enforcement instructors at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. Specifically, it defines "state law enforcement instructor member" as individuals who maintain law enforcement certification and provide training under the Law Enforcement Training Act. This change would include these instructors under the existing State Public Safety Member Coverage Plan 1, aligning them with other public safety employees for retirement benefits. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility rules but expands who qualifies for this specific retirement plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 521: AGRITOURISM PROMOTION ACT

This bill, known as the Agritourism Promotion Act, creates legal protections for agritourism operators in New Mexico by limiting their liability for injuries or deaths that result from inherent risks of agricultural activities. It defines agritourism as public recreational experiences involving farming, ranching, harvesting, and related activities, and establishes that operators are not liable for such risks if they post clear warning signs at all entry points and key activity sites. The law maintains that operators remain fully liable if they act with willful disregard for safety, knowingly hide dangerous conditions, or intentionally harm participants, and requires operators to obtain liability insurance coverage. The bill also directs the state insurance office to develop rules about insurance accessibility for agritourism businesses and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 339: CURRY COUNTY WATER LINES FUNDING

SB 339 appropriates $12 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Environment for planning, designing, constructing, replacing, and improving water lines in Curry County. The funding is allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2028. The bill directly affects Curry County's water infrastructure by providing state resources for system upgrades. The bill was passed by relevant committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results