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HB 178 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

SUN SHADES FOR RURAL PARKS & RECREATION

HB 178 would allocate $3 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health to construct shade structures in rural public parks and recreation areas. The bill directs the Department to prioritize sites with inadequate existing shade, high ultraviolet radiation exposure risk, and cost-effective project plans. Unspent funds at year-end would carry forward to future years instead of reverting to the general fund. This policy directly affects rural communities by reducing sun exposure risks in public outdoor spaces used by residents.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3M from state general fund for public park shade structures, increasing funding for rural public services and fiscal management via carry-forward provision.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds shade structures to reduce UV exposure risk, a public health initiative by the Department of Health addressing a direct health risk in rural communities.90% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → HC substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was substantially rewritten by the Health and Human Services Committee to shift funding responsibility from the Department of Health to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration. The primary purpose remains the same - funding shade structures in rural public parks to reduce UV exposure - but the mechanism for distributing funds changed from direct departmental contracting to allocating funds to local governments.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a state department-led project to a state-to-local government funding allocation model, giving local governments control over how the funds are used for shade structure construction.
FISCAL

Funding source changed from the Department of Health to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration.

SCOPE

Implementation authority shifted from the Department of Health contracting directly for services to the Local Government Division allocating funds to local governments for construction.

TECHNICAL

Added committee substitute header (HB0178HCS) and formatting changes indicating this is a committee substitute version.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jimmy Mason
Jimmy Mason
RRepublican
NM
66