New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 459: PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S SPORTS ACT

SB 459, the "Protection of Women's Sports Act," requires New Mexico public schools, colleges, and athletic clubs to designate teams, sports, and events as male, female, or coed based on biological sex. It prohibits males from competing on teams designated for females (including in competitions, against such teams, or with them), using birth certificate sex as the eligibility standard. The bill allows males to participate only as non-roster practice players without displacing female athletes. Violations can trigger private lawsuits for damages, injunctive relief, or legal fees, and entities failing to comply may lose public funding.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 86: HUMAN TRAFFICKING CHANGES

HB 86 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases in New Mexico, allowing prosecutions to occur at any time. It raises the age for "sexual exploitation of children by prostitution" from 16 to 18 years and adds human trafficking to the definition of "racketeering" for legal purposes. The bill also defines "harm" in trafficking cases, prohibits specific defenses for traffickers, and expands protections by adding trafficking victims to the Victims of Crime Act. These changes directly affect human trafficking victims (especially minors), prosecutors, and defendants, focusing on strengthening legal tools to address trafficking. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 336: MEDICAID CARE ORGANIZATION RECIPIENTS

SB 336 requires New Mexico's Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to assign a proportional number of Medicaid recipients across all contracted MCOs, including newly contracted ones. This directly affects Medicaid recipients (the people receiving the program) and the MCOs that provide their healthcare services. The key provision mandates that the state ensure Medicaid recipients are distributed fairly among all MCOs, preventing any single organization from serving a disproportionately high or low share of enrollees. The bill does not change Medicaid eligibility, benefits, or coverage requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 164: WIRELESS CONSUMER INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES

SB 164 amends New Mexico's Wireless Consumer Advanced Infrastructure Investment Act to include cities, counties, and state agencies as "authorities" responsible for processing wireless infrastructure permits. It clarifies that "right of way" excludes state highways, private easements, and certain utility areas, defining where wireless equipment can be installed. These changes aim to streamline permitting by providing clearer definitions for wireless providers and local governments managing infrastructure deployment.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HJR 11: CHANGE ANTI-DONATION CLAUSE, CA

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Mexico state, county, school district, and municipal governments to donate public funds to private entities for public purposes like health, safety, or welfare - currently prohibited by the state constitution. It would repeal two existing constitutional sections: one banning public fund donations to private parties (Article 9, Section 14) and another restricting appropriations for charitable or educational purposes (Article 4, Section 31). The amendment requires new implementing legislation passed by the legislature before any donations can occur, and it must be approved by voters at the next general election. The bill was referred to committees and postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it has not advanced to a vote.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 286: CRIME REDUCTION GRANT ACT APPLICATIONS

HB 286 amends New Mexico's Crime Reduction Grant Act to expand the eligible uses for state grants awarded to criminal justice coordinating councils. It allows funding for evidence-based treatment alternatives to incarceration, crisis intervention teams, reducing barriers to diversion programs, and improving data-sharing systems between law enforcement and treatment services. The bill requires grantees to limit administrative costs to 5% of funds, develop data-sharing agreements, use evidence-based practices, and submit quarterly and annual reports on program effectiveness. These grants directly support local justice agencies, treatment providers, and law enforcement working on crime reduction strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 356: STATE DIVERSITY ACT

SB 356, the "State Diversity Act," requires New Mexico state agencies to address systemic barriers in hiring, promotion, and pay by creating a Chief Diversity Officer position within the State Personnel Office. It mandates agencies to develop policies identifying and reducing institutional racism, track racial data for workforce equity, and provide annual reports and anti-racism training for all state employees. The bill directly affects all state agencies and employees covered by the Personnel Act, requiring them to implement diversity strategies targeting underserved communities. Key mechanisms include establishing diversity liaisons, creating a Workforce Diversity Council, and setting measurable goals to improve representation and inclusion.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 30: PERA TWO PERCENT COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS

SB 30 provides a two percent annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for certain retired New Mexico state employees. It directly affects normal retired members over age 65 who retired from state government before July 1, 2025, by increasing their pension payments by 2% each July 1. The bill appropriates $10 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and beyond to fund this adjustment, with unspent funds not reverting to the general fund. This replaces a previous reduction in COLA rates for this specific group of retirees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 303: EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN DRUGS AS CHILD ABUSE

HB 303 defines exposure of a child to Schedule I or II controlled substances (like opioids or methamphetamine) as child abuse under New Mexico law. It directly affects parents or caregivers who knowingly allow children to be exposed to these drugs, including newborns testing positive due to prenatal drug exposure. The bill creates specific provisions allowing hospital staff to temporarily place affected newborns (under 72 hours old) into protective custody without a court order if they show withdrawal symptoms or are in drug-manufacturing environments. This amends existing child abuse statutes to clarify that drug exposure constitutes abuse, with penalties ranging from third-degree felony for first offenses to first-degree felony if harm occurs.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 293: ELIMINATE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX

HB 293 would remove income limits for New Mexico residents claiming an exemption on Social Security income under state tax law. Currently, the exemption is capped at $75,000 for married individuals filing separately, $150,000 for joint filers, and $100,000 for single filers. The bill eliminates these caps, allowing all Social Security income to be exempt from state income tax regardless of total earnings. This change would directly affect higher-income Social Security recipients (e.g., retirees) who currently face partial taxation on their benefits. The amendment applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 293: HOUSING STUDY FOR SOME DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

SB 293 requires developers to complete a housing study before applying for tax increment development projects in New Mexico. The study must estimate housing demand from new "economic base jobs" expected to result from the project, including job types like regional headquarters or services generating out-of-state revenue. This requirement applies to all applicants seeking tax increment funding under the Tax Increment for Development Act. The bill adds this step to the application process without changing existing tax increment rules or funding mechanisms. (Note: The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.)

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 132: REPEAL OF DEPOSIT OF WILL

HB 132 repeals a New Mexico law requiring wills to be deposited with the clerk of the district court. This change directly affects individuals creating wills in New Mexico by removing a specific administrative step. The key provision simply eliminates Section 45-2-515 NMSA 1978, which mandated this deposit process. The bill makes no other policy changes and is purely procedural. This repeal simplifies the will-creation process without altering substantive estate law.

Bill results