HB 35 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ZONES

HB 35 creates "Children's Health Protection Zones" extending 1 mile (5,280 feet) from school property lines, directly affecting oil and gas operators working near schools, daycare centers, and school-associated facilities. The bill requires operators to map these zones, develop leak response plans, implement alarm protocols, and conduct regular water quality testing. It also mandates suspending operations in these zones if they violate air quality laws, with penalties for non-compliance. The law focuses on operational requirements rather than banning drilling, targeting specific safety and monitoring measures near schools.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 3, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → EN substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly restricts oil and gas drilling near schools by creating a 1,640-foot 'children's health protection zone' where new drilling permits are banned starting August 1, 2025, with limited exceptions for plugging abandoned wells or proving severe economic harm. The bill also mandates comprehensive leak detection systems, water quality testing, and public notification requirements for operators in these zones, while increasing civil penalties for violations.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory authority to restrict oil and gas operations specifically within 1,640 feet of schools, daycare centers, and recreational facilities associated with schools, creating a new protected area that did not previously exist under state law.

SCOPE

Created a new 'children's health protection zone' extending 1,640 feet from school property lines where new drilling permits are prohibited starting August 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exceptions allowing drilling in protected zones only for plugging abandoned wells or if denial would cause total loss of property value or severe economic harm.

REQUIREMENT

Requires operators in protected zones to submit detailed inventories and maps showing well locations relative to nearby schools by January 1, 2026.

Mandates leak detection and response plans with continuous monitoring systems and alarm protocols for facilities in protected zones.

Requires water quality testing and baseline sampling for nearby property owners and tenants before drilling begins in protected zones.

Requires operators to post contact information for noise and odor complaints on property perimeters in protected zones.

Mandates immediate suspension of operations for more than 48 hours if a chemical leak is detected in protected zones.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased civil penalties for violations in protected zones to $30,000 per day (up from $2,500) and maximum penalties to $3 million (up from $200,000).

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

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

lower

Jan 3, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Pre-file

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors