HB 468 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

RETIRING OF STATE FLAGS

HB 468 establishes clear procedures for retiring New Mexico state flags no longer in use. It requires flags to be destroyed (preferably by burning) in a dignified ceremony, either publicly with military or patriotic groups or privately. This applies directly to all government entities, schools, and private organizations that display the New Mexico state flag, ensuring its retirement honors its significance as a state emblem.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Signed Apr 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from an introduced draft to a final version with significant structural changes. The main substantive change is the addition of a new Section 1 that establishes specific requirements for retiring New Mexico state flags, including preferred disposal methods and ceremony options.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general statement about flag disposal to include specific procedures for flag retirement ceremonies.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific disposal requirements stating flags should preferably be destroyed by burning in a dignified ceremony emphasizing honor

Added provision allowing flag retirement as either a public ceremony with military/patriotic society personnel or a private ceremony

TECHNICAL

Changed bill title from 'Introduced Version' to 'AN ACT' format with proper legislative formatting

Reorganized bill structure from draft format to final enacted format with proper section numbering

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Mar 15, 2025

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic24

23 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican16

16 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee

upper

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee & House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors