RULEMAKING AGENCY RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENT

HB 425 requires New Mexico state agencies to provide written responses to every public comment received during the rulemaking process before finalizing a proposed rule. These responses must specifically address each comment's concerns and be published in the New Mexico Register alongside the adopted rule. The bill applies to all state agencies creating or modifying regulations and aims to increase transparency by making agency reasoning publicly accessible. This change does not alter existing timelines for rule adoption but mandates documented engagement with public input.