New Mexico Bills

passed · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 135: REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN LEGISLATORS

SB 135 would amend New Mexico's reimbursement rules to allow state legislators who are not running for re-election (and thus not on a primary or general election ballot) to receive reimbursement for out-of-state travel related to legislative duties. Currently, such reimbursement is denied to legislators who haven't filed for re-election or were defeated in an election, but this bill creates an exception requiring approval by a three-fourths vote of the legislative council. The key mechanism mandates this council approval before reimbursement can be issued for eligible travel. This directly affects legislators who are term-limited or choosing not to seek re-election, ensuring they can travel for legislative business without losing reimbursement eligibility.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 573: NOTICE OF VOTING ELIGIBILITY TO NON-CITIZENS

HB 573 prohibits New Mexico's Secretary of State or county clerks from sending voter registration eligibility notifications to non-U.S. citizens. It directly affects non-citizen residents who previously received such notices about potential voting registration. The bill amends the Election Code to ban these notifications for individuals or groups containing non-citizens, effective July 1, 2025. This is a procedural change affecting notification practices, not voting eligibility or registration rights.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 538: INDUSTRIAL DECARBONIZATION PRODUCTION CREDITS

HB 538 creates two tax credits for New Mexico industrial facilities to reduce emissions: a production credit paying $85 per metric ton of emissions cut (40% below industry benchmarks) and an investment credit covering 10% of qualifying decarbonization spending (up to $5 million per facility). It directly affects facilities producing concrete, steel, hydrogen, or critical minerals in New Mexico that meet emissions targets. Credits require department certification based on life-cycle assessments and industrial benchmarks, with annual funding caps of $30 million in 2026 rising to $100 million yearly after 2027. Facilities cannot claim both this credit and federal Section 45Q credits in the same year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 146: RAILWAY SAFETY ACT

HB 146, the Railway Safety Act, requires railroads operating in New Mexico to install and maintain wayside detector systems (including hot bearings and dragging equipment detectors) every ten miles along tracks. Railroads must stop trains for defect inspections, follow speed limits when carrying hazardous materials, and report all defect messages and safety violations to the state Department of Transportation annually. The bill protects crew members who report safety concerns from retaliation and authorizes the department to impose fines of $5,000-$25,000 for violations. This law, effective January 1, 2026, directly affects railroad corporations and their workers by mandating enhanced safety protocols and accountability measures.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 251: CERTAIN RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK

SB 251 expands New Mexico's retirement rules to allow certain retired peace officers (like police and sheriffs) to return to public sector work without having their pension benefits suspended during employment. The bill amends Section 10-11-8 of the state retirement law to include peace officers in the existing exception categories, which previously covered roles like legislators, election workers, and elected officials. Under this change, retired peace officers returning to work would retain their pension benefits during employment - unlike the standard rule where pensions are paused - and would not accrue new service credit or make contributions during that period. This policy change directly affects retired peace officers seeking to return to state or local law enforcement jobs.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 329: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PURCHASING COLLABORATIVE

HB 329 establishes a Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative to coordinate mental health and substance abuse services across New Mexico state agencies. The collaborative, attached to the Governor's office, will develop statewide service plans addressing regional needs (including rural, cultural, and border issues), consolidate behavioral health funding requests, and set quality standards for contracted providers. It requires the Governor to appoint a Director from nominees submitted by a new nominating committee, and mandates quarterly reports to legislative committees on service metrics and spending. This bill directly affects state agencies managing behavioral health programs and the residents accessing these services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 569: NAVAJO-GALLUP WATER SUPPLY PROJECT

HB 569 allocates $10 million from New Mexico's general fund to plan, design, and construct a specific section of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (Beacon-Bisti-N9, Cutter Lateral 371/Interstate 40). The funds are designated for fiscal years 2026-2028 to build a regional water line serving 12 Navajo chapters, including Coyote Canyon, Crownpoint, and White Rock. The bill directly affects these communities by providing infrastructure for a critical water supply. Unspent funds by the end of 2028 would revert to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 485: SCHOOL MARSHAL ACT

HB 485, the School Marshal Act, creates a program allowing school districts to employ retired or former law enforcement officers as "school marshals" who may carry concealed firearms on school premises. To qualify, individuals must have at least three years of law enforcement experience, hold a concealed carry permit, and complete state-approved training. School marshals may only carry weapons with school board permission and are restricted to using force only to prevent serious bodily harm or death. The bill requires school districts to develop policies for firearm storage, mandates notification of law enforcement agencies about marshals, and specifies that marshals do not earn retirement benefits.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 85: PROHIBITING NONFUNCTIONAL TURF INSTALLATION

HB 85 prohibits the installation of decorative or non-recreational turf (like in medians or parking lots) on state-owned or state-funded properties starting in 2027. It bans using regular water for irrigation on such turf after 2032, requiring only recycled or reclaimed water instead, and mandates replacing removed turf with drought-resistant landscaping (like native plants or efficient irrigation systems) by 2032. The bill directly affects all state-owned facilities and projects where the state provided at least 40% of funding, including government buildings, parks, and public infrastructure. Key provisions focus on reducing water use and promoting climate-resilient landscaping on public land.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 61: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT LICENSURE

SB 61 lowers the required experience for landscape architect licensure in New Mexico from 10 to 8 years for applicants without a formal degree. It directly affects individuals seeking licensure who lack a landscape architecture degree but have practical work experience. The bill amends licensing rules to allow the Board of Landscape Architects to later increase experience requirements to align with national standards. The key change reduces the barrier to entry for non-degree holders while maintaining the requirement for at least one year of supervised experience. This policy adjustment aims to modernize New Mexico's licensing standards without altering other qualification pathways.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 482: COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM ASSISTANCE PROJECT

HB 482 creates a three-year pilot program to provide technical, financial, and managerial assistance to public community water and wastewater systems across New Mexico. Administered by the state’s local government division, the program uses $900,000 in general fund appropriations (for fiscal years 2026-2028) to support these systems. Unspent funds after 2028 would revert to the general fund. The bill directly affects community water/wastewater providers seeking operational support, with no new regulations or eligibility requirements specified.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 134: DELINQUENCY ACT CHANGES

HB 134 would revise New Mexico's Delinquency Act to expand definitions of "serious youthful offender" and "youthful offender," affecting minors facing juvenile justice proceedings. Key changes include removing mandatory consultations with probation before filing petitions, eliminating required detention risk assessments, and allowing 14+ youth to waive amenability hearings. The bill also modifies court procedures by permitting electronic detention hearings, requiring segregation of serious youthful offenders from adults, and allowing transfers to adult facilities upon reaching 18. It removes restrictions on court-ordered commitments, mandates equal consideration of all amenability factors during sentencing, and shifts authority over releasing delinquent youth from the Children's Department. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and remains pending.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results