HB 180 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

USE OF EMERGENCY FUNDS & DISASTERS

HB 180 clarifies and expands how New Mexico uses state emergency funds. It renames the "Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund" to the "Executive Order for Disasters Fund" and allows the governor to spend these funds for non-natural disasters (like civil unrest or state of martial law) or natural disasters, subject to legislative approval. The bill requires state agencies to report annually to legislative committees on how these funds were used for non-natural disaster responses. This affects state agencies managing disaster response and the legislature that controls funding approvals.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Vetoed

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Vetoed Mar 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

AF substitute → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renamed from 'AF substitute' to 'Final Version' and reorganized for clarity. It clarifies how funds can be used for emergencies, including non-natural disasters like public health crises, and establishes a new disaster funding task force. The bill also creates a 'general fund operating reserve' and modifies the 'tax stabilization reserve' rules to allow more flexible spending during emergencies.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly allows expenditures for non-natural disasters (such as public health emergencies) in addition to natural disasters, expanding the scope of when emergency funds can be used.

SCOPE

Added authority to use emergency funds for non-natural disasters, including public health emergencies and states of martial law.

DEFINITION

Created a new 'general fund operating reserve' within the state treasury to be used during budget shortfalls.

FISCAL

Renamed the 'Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund' to 'Executive Order for Disasters Fund' and clarified its use for natural disasters or martial law.

Modified the tax stabilization reserve rules to allow transfers to the operating reserve if it falls below one percent of general fund appropriations.

REQUIREMENT

Established a disaster funding task force to oversee emergency financial management.

Added reporting requirements for non-natural disaster expenditures, including submission of reports to legislative committees.

introduced version → AF substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico's state emergency funding laws to clarify how different reserve funds can be used during disasters. It renames the 'Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund' to the 'Executive Order for Disasters Fund' and expands its use to include both natural and non-natural disasters. The changes also adjust how the General Fund Operating Reserve and Tax Stabilization Reserve interact, and establish new transfer mechanisms between funds to ensure adequate resources for emergency responses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Executive Order for Disasters Fund to cover both natural and non-natural disasters, whereas previously it was primarily focused on federal reimbursement scenarios. It also clarifies the conditions under which various state reserve funds can be accessed during emergencies.

DEFINITION

Renamed the 'Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund' to 'Executive Order for Disasters Fund' and redefined its purpose to include both natural and non-natural disasters.

FISCAL

Added new provisions allowing the Executive Order for Disasters Fund to be used for non-natural disasters when declared by executive order, with specific reporting requirements to legislative committees.

Modified the General Fund Operating Reserve requirements, changing the threshold from one percent of appropriations to a more flexible approach that considers actual revenue insufficiency.

Created a new transfer mechanism allowing up to $50 million to be transferred from the Appropriation Contingency Fund to the Natural Disaster Revolving Fund within 30 days after August 1, 2026 and 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory quarterly and annual reporting requirements for non-natural disaster expenditures, including details about contracted entities and response status updates.

TIMELINE

Established specific effective dates: Sections 9-10 take effect July 1, 2026, while Sections 1-8 take effect January 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

Removed outdated references to specific prior legislation and consolidated provisions related to the tax stabilization reserve and general fund operating reserve.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

37–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 38

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic22

21 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

Mar 11, 2026

Vetoed

executive

Feb 19, 2026

Executive · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments

executive

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Finance Committee

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors