Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 192: DATA BROKER PRIVACY ACT

SB 192, the Data Broker Privacy Act, regulates companies that collect and sell personal data without a direct relationship to consumers (data brokers). It requires data brokers to register with New Mexico's Economic Development Department, pay fees funding a privacy fund, and disclose specific practices like whether they collect sensitive data (reproductive health, location, or minors' information). The bill establishes a public website and a centralized deletion tool allowing New Mexico residents to request removal of their personal data from all registered brokers with one request, including protections for accessibility and multilingual access. Data brokers must also annually report on how they handle deletion requests, including reasons for denials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes fees on data brokers to fund a privacy program, directly creating new state revenue for consumer protection under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers to protect consumer privacy through mandatory disclosure of sensitive data practices and a centralized deletion tool95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 26: PROHIBITING BOOK BANNING AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES

HB 26 prohibits public libraries in New Mexico (operated by state, county, or municipality) from removing or banning books based on content disagreement or protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. It requires libraries to create written procedures for challenging materials deemed obscene or unlawful, while banning retaliation against staff who refuse to remove books due to policy compliance. The law also blocks funding cuts or disciplinary action against libraries or staff for adhering to these rules, and libraries violating the ban lose eligibility for state funding. Enforcement falls to the Library Division of the Cultural Affairs Department, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBlocks funding cuts to public libraries, protecting existing budget allocations for library operations and materials access.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits banning books in public libraries based on protected characteristics, directly supporting educational access by ensuring diverse materials remain available for learning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 77: APPRENTICE & TRAINING PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS

SB 77 requires construction companies working on most state-funded public works projects (like buildings or infrastructure) to pay into apprentice and training programs or a state fund. This applies to all public construction projects except those involving trades not recognized as apprenticeable by federal standards. Employers must contribute the same amount required by existing wage rate rules, verified through payroll reports. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects contractors bidding on New Mexico government construction projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates employer contributions to fund apprentice programs, increasing state funding for workforce training through public construction projects.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer contributions to apprentice/training programs, directly funding worker skill development and career advancement under labor & employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

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signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 193: ACEQUIA & DITCH INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TRANSFER

This bill increases the annual transfer of funds from the New Mexico Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. It directly affects acequia (traditional community irrigation systems) and local ditch infrastructure projects by providing them with doubled annual funding. The key mechanism is an amendment to existing state statute governing fund allocations, while maintaining a separate $1 million annual transfer to the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and represents a concrete policy shift in water infrastructure funding priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual funding allocation for acequia infrastructure from $2.5M to $5M, directly boosting state budget spending on essential public water infrastructure.95% confidence

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 168: NEW HOMES FOR NEW MEXICO PROGRAM

This bill creates the New Homes for New Mexico program, providing interest-free loans up to $50,000 (or $75,000 in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, or Taos counties) to first-time homebuyers with incomes below 120% of area median income for a family of four. Eligible buyers must purchase starter homes (max 1,800 sq ft on lots under 5,000 sq ft) as their primary residence and cannot have owned a home previously. The program is funded by a $10 million appropriation from the general fund, with repayments reinvested to support future loans. It directly affects first-time homebuyers meeting income and residency criteria in New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds $10M general fund appropriation for housing program targeting low-income buyers, advancing state spending on affordable housing through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides interest-free loans for first-time homebuyers under 120% AMI, directly advancing affordable housing access through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Homeownership

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HJR 8: PROPERTY TAX REFUND FOR NUISANCE LAWS, CA

This constitutional amendment (HJR 8) would require New Mexico municipalities or counties to refund property taxes paid by owners when local governments fail to enforce public nuisance laws (e.g., unaddressed blight or safety hazards) on the owner's property. If a property owner incurs costs to mitigate such issues due to the government's inaction, the municipality or county must refund up to the prior year's property tax amount for that property. The property owner must prove ownership and the actual costs incurred to qualify for the refund. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval at the next general election and is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax refunds to owners when local governments fail to enforce nuisance laws, offering direct tax relief and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 163: RENAME GEOTHERMAL TAX CREDITS

SB 163 renames New Mexico's "geothermal electricity generation" tax credits to "geothermal energy production" credits and establishes a tiered credit system based on kilowatt-hour output. The credit rate starts at $0.015 per kilowatt-hour in the first operational year, increases to $0.04 by year six, then decreases over the next four years, with a yearly production cap of 200,000 megawatt-hours per facility. Total annual credits are capped at $55 million, including $11 million reserved for tribal and small businesses, and credits can be transferred to other taxpayers. This bill directly affects geothermal energy producers in New Mexico who own or hold an interest in geothermal facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tiered tax credits for geothermal energy, increasing credit rates over time with annual spending cap ($55M), directly advancing tax incentives in energy sector.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRenames and expands geothermal tax credits with tiered rates increasing over time, directly funding renewable energy production infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes geothermal energy production via tax credits, promoting renewable energy development that reduces emissions and supports environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 61: RURAL LIBRARIES

SB 61 allocates $5 million from New Mexico's general fund to support rural library operations through fiscal years 2027 and 2028, with a maximum of $2.5 million spent each year. The funding is directed to the Cultural Affairs Department to help sustain library services in rural communities. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 will return to the state general fund. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions or eligibility criteria specified.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M from general fund to sustain rural libraries, increasing public service funding without tax changes or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 195: SOIL & WATER DISTRICT TRAINING & OUTREACH

SB 195 appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration for fiscal year 2027. This funding contracts training and outreach services specifically for elected supervisors serving on soil and water conservation districts statewide. The bill directly affects local district officials by providing resources to enhance their capacity in conservation management. Any unspent funds at year-end revert to the general fund, ensuring the appropriation is limited to one fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for soil/water district training, directly funding a program through budget allocation per topic's fiscal management focus.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds training for soil/water conservation districts to enhance natural resource management, directly advancing environmental conservation through capacity building.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 224: MEDICAL CARE EXPENSES TAX DEDUCTION

HB 224 expands New Mexico's tax deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses to apply to all taxpayers, regardless of income level - replacing previous income-based limits. It establishes tiered deduction rates (10%, 15%, or 25% of eligible medical costs) based on filing status and adjusted gross income, with lower-income taxpayers receiving higher percentages. Eligible expenses include doctor visits, prescriptions, medical insurance premiums, and other health care costs as defined in the bill. The law takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for medical expenses with tiered rates favoring lower-income taxpayers, providing targeted tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax deduction for medical expenses to all taxpayers, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

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