HB 222 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

FRACTURING FLUID DISCLOSURE & USE

HB 222 requires oil and gas operators in New Mexico to disclose all chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and downhole operations before receiving drilling permits or conducting such activities. It specifically prohibits the use of any hydraulic fracturing fluid, drilling fluid, or proppant containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like those found in non-stick coatings or firefighting foam). Operators must provide detailed disclosures including chemical names, suppliers, and intended uses for each additive, with existing operators required to file disclosures by August 1, 2025. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for subsequent violations, with fines deposited into the state school fund. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators, service companies, and chemical suppliers operating in New Mexico's oil and gas sector.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → EN substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised to strengthen environmental protections by adding specific prohibitions on per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in downhole operations and clarifying chemical disclosure requirements for hydraulic fracturing and drilling activities. The changes include new definitions for key terms, expanded disclosure obligations, and a formal prohibition on using undisclosed chemicals in downhole operations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general chemical disclosure requirements to include an explicit ban on PFAS-containing fluids and materials in downhole operations, with additional rules authority granted to the oil conservation commission.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section prohibiting the use of hydraulic fracturing fluids, drilling fluids, proppants, or additives containing per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in downhole operations.

Added a new section requiring operators to file downhole chemical disclosures before commencing operations, including details on water volumes, additives, chemical ingredients, concentrations, and CAS numbers.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'base fluid', 'direct vendor', 'hydraulic fracturing fluid', 'operator', 'per- or polyfluoroalkyl substance', 'proppant', and 'service company' to clarify regulatory obligations.

Modified existing definitions to include additional chemical categories and clarified the relationship between 'field' and 'pool' terminology.

ENFORCEMENT

Added authority for the oil conservation commission to adopt rules implementing these provisions and included an exemption for products governed by federal law.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the act to July 1, 2025, and included specific compliance deadlines for operators with permits issued as of that date.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors