New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SM 17: ROUTE 66, IN RECOGNITION

This Senate Memorial (SM 17) is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in New Mexico, particularly highlighting its historical significance to Santa Rosa. It acknowledges Route 66 as a cultural and transportation legacy that shaped communities, including Santa Rosa's development, and notes planned centennial celebrations like a new sign and events. The resolution has no legal effect or binding provisions - it merely expresses recognition and will be sent to the governor. As a memorial, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or entities. The bill was tabled and postponed indefinitely in 2025.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 458: CYFD SECRETARY NOMINATING COMMITTEE

SB 458 proposes creating a nine-member "Secretary of Children, Youth and Families Nominating Committee" to vet candidates for New Mexico's top child welfare position. The committee, appointed by legislative leaders, the governor, and the chief justice, would submit a list of qualified nominees (with geographical diversity) to the governor for the secretary role, replacing the current appointment process. The bill also includes other child welfare provisions, such as requiring foster care prevention services meeting federal standards and transferring some administrative duties. However, the bill was "DO NOT PASS" by committees and postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it did not become law.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 58: MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS FUNDING

HB 58 allocates $300,000 for trauma-informed suicide prevention training for school staff, students, and community members, and $1.75 million to operate 14 dedicated mental health rooms in New Mexico public schools. The funding, intended for fiscal year 2026, directly supports school staff and students by expanding access to mental health resources and training. It requires partnerships with organizations providing culturally centered programs and mandates unspent funds to revert to the state general fund. The bill focuses on concrete, on-the-ground mental health support within school settings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 579: NM RESIDENT PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT PROGRAM

HB 579 establishes a New Mexico Resident Physician Recruitment Program administered by the University of New Mexico's graduate medical education office. It provides $1.2 million in state funding for UNM resident physicians to complete up to two weeks annually of clinical training at non-UNM hospitals or clinics across the state, covering salaries, cost-of-living stipends, insurance, and travel. Participating hospitals must provide supervised learning environments, assign a licensed physician mentor, and follow standard resident work hour rules. The program aims to broaden residency opportunities for physicians training in New Mexico, with annual outcome reports required for the legislature.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 520: DENTAL & VISION ONLY CONTRACTS

SB 520 clarifies that dental and vision only health insurance plans are excluded from New Mexico's 3.75% health insurance premium surtax. This means insurance providers selling standalone dental or vision coverage will not pay the additional tax on premiums for these specific plans. The surtax continues to apply to most other health insurance plans, including those covering hospital and medical expenses. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, ensuring dental and vision plans remain tax-exempt under the state's health insurance tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 209: RURAL LIBRARIES ENDOWMENT FUND

SB 209 creates a permanent funding source for rural libraries in New Mexico by appropriating $29.5 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 and all future years. The bill directly affects rural libraries across the state, providing guaranteed annual funding to support their operations and services. Key provisions include prohibiting unspent funds from reverting to the general fund at year-end, ensuring the money remains dedicated to the libraries. This is a straightforward funding mechanism with no new regulations or eligibility requirements beyond the existing definition of rural libraries. The bill does not change library services or create new programs, only securing ongoing financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 331: CANNABIS BUSINESS & LABOR PEACE AGREEMENT

HB 331 requires cannabis businesses with 10 or more employees to enter into a written "labor peace agreement" with a recognized labor organization. This agreement prohibits businesses from interfering with employee organizing efforts and mandates they allow reasonable access for labor groups to discuss representation, while also banning strikes or boycotts by labor groups. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees must provide a written attestation they will secure such an agreement within 60 days of reaching 10 employees. Failure to comply may result in license suspension or denial of renewal starting September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects licensed cannabis businesses in New Mexico by tying license renewals to adherence to these labor agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 67: USE OF PHONE LOCATION FOR 911 CALLS

SB 67 requires wireless and internet service providers in New Mexico to share a device's location with law enforcement upon request during 911 calls involving immediate risks of death or serious harm. This directly affects service providers, who must comply with law enforcement requests for location data to aid emergency response. The bill also mandates the Department of Public Safety to collect and share contact information with providers to facilitate this process. The legislation amends New Mexico's Enhanced 911 Act to clarify these requirements, though it was postponed indefinitely by the Senate in June 2025.

Topics ✗ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 322: STRIP SEARCHES & CAMERAS

SB 322 restricts strip or cavity searches in New Mexico juvenile detention facilities to cases with probable cause for dangerous contraband and superintendent authorization. It requires detailed incident reports documenting the search rationale, methods, and results, and mandates that searches use the least invasive approach possible. The bill also prohibits cameras or filming in shower and toilet areas of detention facilities to protect youth privacy. These provisions directly affect juvenile detention facilities and the children held within them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 24: APPRENTICE & TRAINING PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS

SB 24 requires employers working on public works construction projects in New Mexico to contribute to approved apprentice and training programs or the state's Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund. This applies to all such projects (excluding specific maintenance contracts) and mandates contributions at the same amount and method as those required for prevailing wage rates. The Workforce Solutions Department will administer the program, collect contributions, verify compliance, and disburse funds. The bill directly affects construction employers on state-funded projects by creating a mandatory funding mechanism for workforce training.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 152: MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT FOR JUVENILES

This bill prohibits state-operated or state-funded facilities - including inpatient/outpatient substance use treatment centers, juvenile correction facilities, and juvenile detention centers - from restricting medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for minors under 18 with substance use disorders. By July 2026, facilities must eliminate policies blocking MAT (using FDA-approved medications combined with counseling), and they will lose state Medicaid reimbursement eligibility if they continue such restrictions. The bill also creates a dedicated fund to support establishing evidence-based MAT programs for minors, managed by the health care authority, with annual reporting requirements starting in 2025. It directly affects minors in these facilities and the state agencies operating them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 384: RIO HONDO WATERSHED DISTRICT

SB 384 appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for planning, developing, and creating a Rio Hondo Watershed District during fiscal year 2026. The funds are specifically for the Department of Agriculture to conduct this planning work, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by year-end. The bill directly affects the Rio Hondo watershed area by initiating formal planning for a dedicated district to manage water resources. It does not create the district immediately but funds the foundational planning phase through state agency action. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on allocating funds for this planning process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results