SB 256 creates a new fourth-degree felony for unlawfully interfering with aircraft operations, specifically including pointing lasers at aircraft. It defines "laser" as devices used as pointers or highlighters and prohibits discharging firearms, launching projectiles, or interfering with aircraft. The law imposes a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for this offense. It directly affects anyone who engages in such actions, including individuals using laser pointers near airports or during flights.
This House Memorial (HM 66) requests the New Mexico Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of implementing a border crossing fee at the Santa Teresa port of entry. The study would examine legal authority, impacts on trade competitiveness, potential fee structures, economic effects on the Santa Teresa region, and infrastructure needs for the next 20 years. It does not propose a fee but seeks a report evaluating whether such a fee could fund infrastructure improvements for this major international trade corridor. The study must include input from local governments, stakeholders, and federal agencies before a November 2026 deadline.
HB 299 appropriates $350 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the second phase of expanding U.S. Highway 180. The funding will cover rights-of-way acquisition, planning, design, and construction to widen the highway from two to four lanes between Bayard and Deming during fiscal years 2026-2029, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2029. This bill directly affects drivers traveling between Bayard and Deming, as well as the state transportation agency responsible for implementing the project. The project is specifically identified as infrastructure project 1101841.
HB 21 creates the Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Act, establishing two dedicated funds to provide infrastructure assistance to specific communities. It directly affects land grant-merced communities (designated political subdivisions under New Mexico law) and acequias (community irrigation systems organized as political subdivisions), enabling them to access grants for projects like water systems, roads, health facilities, and flood protection. The bill sets up a trust fund that distributes annual allocations to two project funds - administered by a council for land grants and a commission for acequias - based on trust fund balances. These funds will support planning, construction, and equipment for qualified infrastructure projects through established application and evaluation processes.
SB 93 creates a 50% corporate income tax credit for New Mexico railroads that make qualified infrastructure investments, such as track reconstruction, new rail spurs, or facilities for new customers. It directly affects railroads classified as Class 2 or 3 by the federal government or owners/lessees of rail spurs in New Mexico, with credit limits of $5,000 per mile of track for maintenance/replacement or $1 million per new customer project. The credit requires Department of Transportation certification, has a $6 million annual cap, and allows transfer of unused credits between taxpayers. Its purpose is to incentivize rail expansions that would not occur without the credit, aiming to increase freight capacity and reduce highway congestion.
SB 73 requires all approved driver education courses in New Mexico schools to include at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and wheelchair users. This directly affects driver education schools, instructors, and students in public and private secondary schools across the state. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this specific training component as part of minimum course standards. It defines "vulnerable road users" broadly to include anyone not protected by a vehicle's structure, like those on bikes, scooters, or walking. The policy change aims to improve road safety awareness through standardized curriculum updates.
SB 2 increases funding for New Mexico's highway projects by raising fees on vehicle registrations and commercial truck taxes. It raises weight-distance tax rates for commercial trucks (affecting freight companies), increases standard passenger vehicle registration fees, and adds new annual fees for electric vehicles ($70-$90) and plug-in hybrids ($35-$45) starting in 2027. All new revenue from these changes goes directly to the State Road Fund to support highway improvements. The bill specifically targets commercial truck operators, all vehicle owners, and electric vehicle owners, with fee amounts varying by vehicle type and registration year.
This bill authorizes police officers and New Mexico Department of Transportation employees to move vehicles, debris, or other obstacles blocking roadways when they create immediate safety risks. It allows officials to clear such hazards from the traveled portion of roads without facing liability for damage to the hazard itself. The law applies statewide to all public roads and aims to improve traffic safety by enabling faster removal of dangerous obstacles. It does not change liability rules for damage to vehicles or property owned by others.
SB 185 increases New Mexico's gasoline tax from 17 cents to 20 cents per gallon, effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects all drivers and businesses purchasing gasoline within the state, as the tax applies to every gallon received in New Mexico. The bill amends Section 7-13-3 of the state tax code to update the excise tax rate. The policy change is a straightforward rate adjustment with no additional provisions or exemptions described in the bill text.
HB 262 amends New Mexico's Transportation Emergency Fund to explicitly allow grants for small rural school districts to purchase buses specifically for student activities. This change directly affects small rural school districts by creating a new, targeted funding source for transportation needs beyond existing uses like fuel price spikes. The bill adds this provision to the fund's existing purpose, ensuring money remains available year-to-year without reverting to the general fund. The state education secretary must track and report all distributions to the governor and relevant legislative committees, as required by current fund rules.
