RULE CHANGE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

HB 508 would require New Mexico state agencies to provide an additional 21-day public comment period whenever they make a "substantial change" to a proposed rule. This change, defined as altering a rule's meaning or effect, would apply to all agencies except the judicial and legislative branches. Agencies must publish a notice in the New Mexico Register detailing the changes, how to comment, and where to access the full rule text, but it does not require an additional public hearing. The bill aims to give the public more opportunity to review and comment on significant revisions to draft regulations before they are finalized. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.