New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 345: TEACHER & INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT LICENSURE

SB 345 allows new teachers in New Mexico to use a portfolio instead of standardized exams to earn a Level One teaching license. It also creates reciprocity for instructional support staff (like counselors or librarians) who hold licenses in other states, enabling them to obtain Level Two or Three New Mexico licenses if they meet experience and competency requirements. The bill directly affects new teachers seeking initial certification and out-of-state instructional support staff aiming to work in New Mexico schools. Key mechanisms include replacing exam requirements with portfolio assessments for Level One licensure and establishing clear pathways for reciprocal licensing based on existing credentials.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 48: COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

SB 48 creates a $340 million Community Benefit Fund in New Mexico’s state treasury, funded by a transfer from the general fund. The fund finances projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (with specific standards for buildings and methane leaks), modernize the electric grid, expand renewable energy, reduce combustion vehicle use, address climate impacts, support electric vehicle infrastructure, and develop economic opportunities tied to climate transition. Projects must include community engagement with overburdened communities (e.g., two public meetings or a negotiated agreement) and prioritize worker training for emerging climate-related industries. The fund requires annual progress reports to legislative committees, with spending focused on measurable environmental and economic outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 156: INCREASE EDUCATIONAL SALARIES

HB 156 increases minimum annual salaries for non-vocational teachers in New Mexico public schools at three licensure levels. It raises the base salary for level one teachers from $50,000 to $55,000, for level two teachers from $60,000 to $65,000, and for level three-A teachers from $70,000 (to a higher amount). The changes apply to standard nine-and-one-half-month contracts and affect all public school districts, excluding vocational education teachers from these increases. The bill directly impacts classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators holding these specific licenses.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 45: COUNTY HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE FUND USE

SB 45 expands the uses of New Mexico county health care assistance funds to cover health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs (like copayments and deductibles) for indigent patients. This directly affects low-income individuals who qualify as indigent and rely on county health care assistance programs. The bill amends existing law to add these specific coverage options while maintaining previous uses like burial expenses, ambulance transport, and hospital care. It does not change eligibility criteria but broadens the types of health care costs counties can pay for using these dedicated funds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 124: SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE SUBPOENAS

SB 124 amends New Mexico's Insurance Code to grant the Superintendent of Insurance the explicit authority to issue civil investigative subpoenas during examinations or investigations of potential insurance code violations. This change allows the Superintendent (or designated staff) to compel testimony or document production from individuals or entities under investigation, without first issuing a notice of contemplated action. The bill also clarifies that failure to comply with such a subpoena can be enforced through a court order in district court. This directly affects insurance companies, agents, and other entities subject to the Superintendent's oversight during regulatory investigations.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 78: CERTIFIED NURSE ANESTHETIST ROLE

SB 78 amends New Mexico law to establish an independent practice role for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), allowing them to provide anesthesia care without direct physician supervision in most settings. This directly affects CRNAs and patients in New Mexico healthcare facilities, removing prior requirements for physician collaboration in anesthesia care. The bill defines "independent role" as performing all anesthesia-related actions (including prescribing certain drugs in emergency, surgical, or perinatal settings) without oversight, while clarifying their prescribing authority based on a board-developed formulary. The law also includes provisions for expedited licensure for CRNAs moving from other states and maintains requirements for national certification and continuing education.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 195: SCHOOL NURSE SALARY TIERS & MINIMUMS

HB 195 establishes a tiered salary system for school nurses in New Mexico, aligning minimum salaries with corresponding teacher salary levels (e.g., level one nurses earn the same as level one teachers). It creates three license tiers: level one (provisional for new nurses), level two (experienced), and level three (advanced), requiring annual competency evaluations and mentorship for level one nurses. The bill also adds a "national board certification" program unit, giving school districts extra funding for nurses certified by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses, contingent on districts providing a salary differential. These changes directly affect public school nurses and districts, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through structured compensation and certification incentives.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 23: OIL & GAS ROYALTY RATE CHANGES

SB 23 changes the royalty rate for future oil and gas leases on certain New Mexico state trust lands. It amends lease terms to set a new royalty rate for "Premium" lands issued on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting oil and gas companies leasing these lands and increasing revenue for trust beneficiaries (like schools and hospitals). The key provision requires lessees to pay this new rate in addition to the existing lease terms for all new development leases on designated trust lands. This policy change specifically targets future leases, not existing ones, to boost state trust land revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 91: PUBLIC UTILITY RATE STRUCTURES

HB 91 amends New Mexico's public utility law to allow utilities to propose new rate structures for specific purposes. It specifically permits the Public Regulation Commission to approve rates designed for economic development, retaining existing customers, reducing energy costs for low-income households, decreasing outstanding bills (arrears), and increasing payment frequency to improve service continuity. These changes directly affect utilities (like electricity and gas providers) and low-income customers who may benefit from more affordable service options. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was signed into law after passing both legislative chambers.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 47: SANTA CRUZ DE LA CANADA LAND GRANT

SB 47 adds the Santa Cruz de la Canada Land Grant-Merced to the list of land grants governed under New Mexico's Chapter 49, Article 1 statutes. This procedural bill formally includes the Santa Cruz de la Canada community (located in Santa Fe County) under the existing legal framework that applies to other historic land grants. It does not change governance mechanisms but ensures this specific grant is explicitly covered by current state land grant laws. The bill was signed into law after passing both legislative chambers.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 450: CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS

HB 450 authorizes New Mexico to issue severance tax bonds (funded by oil/gas taxes) for state capital projects like building construction, equipment purchases, or renovations. It requires agencies to certify fund needs by 2027 and spend 85% of bond proceeds within three years, with unspent funds reverting to the severance tax fund by 2029. The bill prohibits using bond funds for indirect costs and sets strict deadlines to ensure efficient spending, applying to projects such as emergency vehicles, heavy equipment, or educational technology.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 493: PUBLIC FINANCE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

HB 493, the Public Finance Accountability Act, creates a new "Public Finance Accountability Fund" administered by the state auditor to help grantees meet financial oversight requirements. It requires all grant recipients (including local governments and nonprofits) to provide annual audit records, fix significant financial weaknesses before receiving funds, and follow strict accounting standards. State agencies must use standardized grant agreements, confirm proper disposal of assets, and conduct field audits of projects. The Department of Finance and Administration will enforce these rules, which take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes