COUNTY & MUNICIPALITY ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT

HB 71 allows residents, businesses, or the attorney general to compel a New Mexico county or municipality to enforce its own ordinances. It requires written notice to the local government, giving it 14 days to either enforce the ordinance or explain why it wasn’t enforced. If unresolved, the affected party can file a lawsuit seeking a court order to enforce or repeal the ordinance, with possible recovery of attorney fees if they win. The bill directly affects local governments’ enforcement practices and provides a legal remedy for those impacted by unenforced local rules, effective July 1, 2026.