SB 405 creates a bipartisan committee to review New Mexico's behavioral health policies and practices, focusing on improving care for marginalized populations. The committee, appointed by the legislative council, will develop recommendations for trauma-informed treatment courts, modernize behavioral health laws, and establish a criminal justice task force with judicial district representatives. It must submit final recommendations to the governor and courts by October 2026, using a $300,000 appropriation for staff and operations. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and remains pending.
HB 560, the Workforce Readiness and Student Engagement Act, requires New Mexico public high schools (grades 9-12) to establish programs helping students gain workforce skills before graduation. Students can choose pathways including industry certifications, college courses while in high school, apprenticeships with local employers, or on-the-job training. The bill mandates annual evaluations tracking program participation, post-graduation employment, and attendance impacts, with $20 million appropriated for implementation starting in fiscal year 2026. Schools must collaborate with workforce departments to align programs with local job market needs.
HB 539 creates the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority in New Mexico to provide water and wastewater services, replacing a previous joint agreement between Sunland Park city and Dona Ana County. The authority will be governed by a seven-member board elected by residents within its service area, with powers to set water rates, issue revenue bonds, and manage infrastructure. Key provisions include establishing perpetual liens on properties for unpaid bills, authorizing the board to fix rates (with expert recommendations), and ensuring the authority operates independently from the Public Regulation Commission. This special district directly affects property owners and water users in the designated service area.
SB 380 creates a Physician Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund by transferring $100 million from the state's general fund. The trust fund will be invested, and each year 5% of its average market value over the prior three years will be distributed to a separate program fund. This program fund will provide specific funding: up to $2.5 million for rural/underserved medical education programs seeking accreditation, up to $500,000 for newly accredited programs, and remaining funds for established accredited programs in those areas. The bill directly affects medical training programs in rural and underserved communities by establishing a dedicated funding mechanism.
HB 205 creates a nine-member nominating committee to select the Secretary of Children, Youth and Families (CYFD) in New Mexico. The committee, appointed by legislative leaders, the governor, and the chief justice, must submit at least five diverse, qualified nominees to the governor for appointment. This replaces the current process by requiring geographical diversity across counties and ensuring nominees are independent of the department. The bill directly affects the governor’s appointment authority for the CYFD Secretary position and the department’s leadership structure.
SB 177, the U Visa Certification Act, creates a state process for New Mexico agencies to certify victims of qualifying crimes for federal U visas. It directly affects crime victims who have assisted law enforcement with investigations, including those experiencing domestic violence, trafficking, or assault. The bill requires certifying agencies (like police departments or district attorneys) to process certification requests within 30 days (14 days for urgent cases), provide written denial reasons with appeal options, and establish internal review steps before victims can seek state department of justice review. This replaces the current federal-only certification process with a streamlined state system to help victims access immigration relief.
SB 157 modifies New Mexico's Forfeiture Act to govern property seizures by law enforcement agencies participating in federal equitable sharing programs. It requires that forfeiture proceeds from such seizures be directed to drug treatment rehabilitation programs (not general funds), and sets new conditions for transferring property to federal authorities (e.g., property value over $50,000 or federal criminal charges). The bill also prohibits law enforcement from accepting federal equitable sharing funds unless the property owner is convicted in federal court. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, drug treatment programs, and individuals whose property is seized under these provisions.
HB 365 transfers oversight of charter schools from New Mexico's Public Education Department to the Public Education Commission. It creates a "State Charter Schools Office" within the Commission to serve as the state chartering authority, replacing the former Charter Schools Division. The bill requires the Commission to oversee charter schools, monitor compliance with state law, and provide nonpartisan advice on charter school operations. This directly affects charter schools, the Commission, and the Public Education Department by restructuring how charter school approvals and oversight are administered.
This bill requires New Mexico's cellular and paging companies to send free text alerts to all customers when a Silver Alert is issued for a missing person. It mandates that telecom companies integrate these alerts into their standard messaging systems without additional cost to users. The law would expand the current alert system by using mobile networks to rapidly notify the public about missing persons, as specified in the updated Silver Alert plan. The bill is pending before legislative committees after being postponed indefinitely.
HB 81, the Occupational Therapy Licensure Interstate Compact, would allow occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses, as long as the patient is located in the state where care is provided. It directly affects licensed occupational therapy professionals seeking to practice across state lines, military spouses relocating with their partners, and patients accessing telehealth services. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, shared disciplinary information between states, accountability for remote practice under local standards, and enhanced telehealth access. The bill preserves each state's regulatory authority over licensure while creating a streamlined framework for interstate practice, though it remains pending after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
HB 506 creates two tax credits in New Mexico for hotel renovation projects: a 20% credit (or 30% for LEED-NC silver-certified projects) on qualifying costs for owners of existing hotels. The credit applies to renovations of at least 40% of guest rooms in hotels with 15+ rooms, excluding new construction, with minimum cost thresholds ($25,000-$40,000 depending on county size). Hotel owners must obtain pre-certification from the Tourism Department before starting work and final certification within one year of completion, with annual credits capped at $30 million. This directly affects hotel operators seeking to renovate existing properties, incentivizing upgrades while requiring environmental certification for the higher credit tier.
HB 124 clarifies procedures for guardians when a person under their care (a "protected person") or the guardian themselves dies. It requires guardians to notify the court within three days of a protected person's death, obtain a death certificate without court approval, and request court hearings for funeral arrangements or using the estate for funeral costs if no family or will-appointed representative is available. The bill allows guardians to temporarily act as personal representatives to manage the estate, with conservators prioritized for this role if both seek it, and mandates a final court report within 45 days of death. These changes streamline estate handling for vulnerable individuals while ensuring court oversight for key decisions.
