Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 265: TAXPAYER DIVIDEND INCOME TAX REBATE FUND

HB 265 creates a new "Taxpayer Dividend Income Tax Rebate Fund" to distribute excess state revenues as direct tax rebates to New Mexico residents. The fund receives money from two sources: (1) excess oil and gas tax revenues (previously allocated to early childhood education), and (2) excess federal mineral leasing funds. Eligible residents who file a New Mexico income tax return by May 31 receive a rebate equal to the fund's prior year balance divided by the total number of filers. The rebate reduces tax liability or is refunded if it exceeds the amount owed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct tax rebates to residents using excess revenues, aligning with tax relief indicators for support.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 201: RURAL LIBRARIES

SB 201 allocates $1.5 million from the state general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department for rural library operations during fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports rural libraries across New Mexico by covering operational costs, such as staffing and materials. Any unused funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must be returned to the general fund. The bill is a straightforward funding measure with no additional requirements or policy changes beyond the specified appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M for rural library operations, directly funding public services via state budget without tax changes or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 236: UNM PATHWAYS STATEWIDE COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM

HB 236 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for its "Pathways Statewide Collaborative" program. The funding supports health professional pathway programs, including STEM education and health sciences training, as well as youth leadership development activities. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must be returned to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM Health Sciences Center programs and the students participating in these pathway initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from state general fund to fund UNM health/STEM programs, directly advancing public service funding within state budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M for STEM education, health sciences training, and youth leadership under UNM's Pathways program, directly funding educational initiatives in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2M to UNM Health Sciences for health professional training programs, directly advancing healthcare workforce development through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 142: SEVERANCE BONDS FOR ED. TECHNOLOGY

SB 142 extends the authorization to issue up to $10 million annually in severance tax bonds for education technology infrastructure in New Mexico until July 1, 2030. The bonds, certified by the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and sold by the State Board of Finance, fund school technology upgrades like broadband and digital tools. Proceeds are directed to an education technology infrastructure fund for public school systems. This maintains funding for school technology infrastructure projects beyond the current authorization period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends severance tax bond authorization to fund education technology infrastructure, directing existing tax revenue toward public education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends $10M annual severance bonds for school technology infrastructure, maintaining funding for broadband/digital tools and directing proceeds to education tech fund per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds education technology infrastructure including broadband and digital tools, directly supporting tech access in schools per bill's funding allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Broadband Access

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 177: VETERAN SERVICE ANIMAL SERVICES & SHELTER

HB 177 allocates $150,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Veterans' Services Department to support veterans who need temporary separation from their service or companion animals for housing, medical care, or homelessness services. The bill funds contracted animal boarding, veterinary care, kennel facilities at veteran housing sites, and pet food to prevent veterans from losing access to essential services due to animal separation. This funding is available for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. The policy directly affects veterans requiring shelter, housing, or medical care that would otherwise require parting with their service animals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $150,000 from general fund to fund veteran service animal programs, directly increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds veterinary care and boarding to maintain service animals for veterans' mental health support, preventing separation during medical/housing needs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds services preventing veterans from losing housing access due to service animal separation, directly addressing homelessness and housing stability at veteran sites.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $150k to fund service animal support for veterans, preventing loss of housing/medical access due to animal separation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Homelessness Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 139: NM HOUSING TRUST FUND

HB 139 appropriates $135 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Housing Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, directly supporting state housing programs. The bill ensures unspent funds at year-end remain in the trust fund rather than reverting to the general budget. This provides stable, multi-year funding to carry out the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund Act, which finances affordable housing initiatives. The legislation focuses on concrete financial allocation, not policy changes or outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $135M from general fund to Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing, ensuring stable multi-year funding for essential public programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $135M to Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing programs, ensuring stable multi-year funding per the Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SJR 5: NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUATION, CA

This bill (SJR 5) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Mexico’s legislature to limit annual increases in the assessed value of **residential property** for property tax purposes. It would amend the state constitution to authorize rules restricting how much a home’s taxable value can rise each year, potentially based on factors like owner-occupancy, homeowner age, or income. These limits could apply statewide or be chosen by local governments, with tax rates applied to the property’s full value if the limit isn’t used. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election. (Note: The bill title incorrectly states "nonresidential"; the text specifically addresses residential property.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLimits annual residential property tax increases, providing relief for homeowners via caps on assessed value growth, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits property tax increases for residential homeowners, reducing financial burden and supporting housing affordability for current residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

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signed · New Mexico · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 108: WATERSHED DISTRICT TAXES AND DIRECTORS

HB 108 allows watershed districts in New Mexico to request soil and water conservation districts to levy property taxes for district operations. Specifically, watershed districts can ask the local soil conservation district board to impose an annual tax (capped at $5 per $1,000 of property value) to fund administration, construction, and maintenance of watershed projects. This bill clarifies the appointment process for watershed district boards, ensuring representation from soil conservation districts that hold minority land within the watershed area. It directly affects watershed districts, soil conservation districts, and property owners within those districts who may be subject to the requested taxes. The key change is creating a formal mechanism for watershed districts to secure dedicated funding through local property tax levies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables new property tax authority ($5/$1k cap) for watershed district funding, directly advancing local tax-based budgeting for water projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds watershed projects for water conservation, directly supporting environmental protection through resource management and infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation Water Quality

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 106: GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP ACT FUNDING

SB 106 allocates $5 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Higher Education Department for fiscal year 2027 to support graduate scholarships under the Graduate Scholarship Act. This funding directly benefits New Mexico graduate students pursuing advanced degrees by providing financial assistance through the state's scholarship program. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must return to the general fund. The legislation is currently moving forward after passing committee review in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M from general fund for graduate scholarships, directly funding public education programs within state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $5M for graduate scholarships under Higher Education Department, directly funding post-secondary student support per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 157: PREGNANCY & PARENTING RESOURCE WEBSITE

HB 157 allocates $100,000 from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health to create a website and hotline for expectant families and new parents. The resource will provide direct access to information on social services, financial assistance, adoption services, pregnancy care, parenting guidance, and local care centers. The funding is limited to fiscal year 2027, with any unused balance returning to the state budget. This bill does not change existing laws but provides new public access to existing support resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100k from state general fund for health/family resource website, funding essential public service within budget constraints.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100k for pregnancy care resources, improving access to health services for expectant families via website/hotline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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