New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 425: CAPITAL OUTLAY REAUTHORIZATIONS

SB 425 reauthorizes spending periods for existing state capital projects and establishes rules for handling unspent funds. It requires unexpended balances from severance tax bonds and general fund appropriations to revert to specific funds (like tribal infrastructure or the originating fund) after set deadlines, extending some project timelines through fiscal year 2027. The bill redirects specific unspent funds - such as money originally for a Las Vegas water line to purchase vehicles, or funds for a veterans building renovation to improve Veterans Park - while setting clear reversion dates. This procedural bill streamlines fund management without creating new policies or altering agency responsibilities.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 31: ZERO-INTEREST NATURAL DISASTER LOANS

SB 31 creates a zero-interest loan program for New Mexico local governments and electric cooperatives that received federal disaster funding from FEMA after a declared natural disaster. Borrowers must repay loans within 30 days using their FEMA funds, with penalties for late repayment, and must use the loans for recovery within a set timeframe. The program is funded through a new "Natural Disaster Revolving Fund," replenished annually with $150 million transfers from the state’s contingency fund and loan repayments. The state requires regular reporting to the legislature on loan amounts, repayments, and enforcement actions to ensure accountability.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 42: COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY PGM

SB 42 moves New Mexico's state program administering services under the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Department of Health. It updates requirements for "plans of safe care" - written plans addressing treatment needs for substance-exposed newborns and their caregivers to ensure child safety. The bill specifically amends Section 32A-1-4 of the Children's Code to reflect this administrative shift and revised safe care protocols. This change directly affects child welfare systems, health departments, and families with newborns exposed to substances prenatally. The bill was enacted after passing both chambers and receiving the governor's signature in April 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 2: GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT OF 2025

HB 2 creates the Health Care Affordability Fund to lower health insurance costs for New Mexico residents. It directly affects low-income individuals and small businesses by reducing premiums for those purchasing coverage through the state health insurance exchange, prioritizing residents earning under 200% of the federal poverty level. Key provisions include funding premium assistance for state employees not qualifying for Medicaid, covering National Guard members’ TRICARE costs, and establishing contingency plans to maintain coverage if federal healthcare programs are altered. The bill also requires annual reports on fund usage and performance metrics to the legislature. It declares an emergency due to potential federal healthcare changes impacting New Mexico residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 36: SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE

SB 36 prohibits state agency employees from disclosing certain sensitive personal information, including public assistance status, medical conditions, immigration status, sexual orientation, and social security numbers, except in specific circumstances like court orders or with written consent. It directly affects state employees handling such data and amends the Motor Vehicle Code to protect driver's license and vehicle registration details from unauthorized disclosure. Key provisions require written consent for sharing, limit disclosures to necessary agency functions or legal requirements, and impose civil penalties of $250 per violation (up to $5,000 total). The law takes effect July 1, 2025, strengthening privacy protections for New Mexico residents' personal data held by state agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 343: TEACHER SALARY RATES CHANGES

SB 343 establishes minimum annual salaries for licensed teachers in New Mexico public schools based on their license level. It sets a $50,000 minimum for Level One teachers (new teachers), $60,000 for Level Two teachers, and $70,000 for Level Three-A teachers (with instructional leadership roles), all for standard nine-and-a-half-month contracts. The bill removes prior exceptions that allowed some teachers to earn below these rates. These changes directly affect all public school teachers holding these specific license classifications in New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 291: RECYCLING & STATE'S CIRCULAR ECONOMY

HB 291 amends New Mexico's Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act to formally establish a "circular economy" framework. It requires the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt rules for public submissions and decide within 60 days whether to hold hearings on proposed rules. The bill creates a statewide "recycling, circular economy and illegal dumping alliance" involving cities, counties, tribes, state agencies, and private businesses to coordinate recycling efforts and foster sustainable resource use. Key provisions include renaming the act to explicitly include "circular economy" and mandating the alliance to develop strategies for reusing materials like tires, e-waste, and construction debris, aiming to reduce waste and support economic development.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 11: ANTI-DISTRACTION POLICY IN SCHOOLS

SB 11 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to encourage school districts and charter schools to adopt voluntary policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices during the school day. These "anti-distraction policies" would aim to promote academic success and social development, with the state offering reimbursement for specialized storage equipment needed to implement them. The bill appropriates $10 million (2026-2028) to cover equipment costs for schools that adopt such policies, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2028. It directly affects public school districts and charter schools by providing financial support for device management systems, without mandating policy adoption. The bill focuses on enabling schools to reduce classroom distractions through equipment-based solutions.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Technology

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 20: TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION DIVISION

HB 20 creates a new Technology and Innovation Division within New Mexico's Economic Development Department to advance economic growth in key sectors like aerospace, biosciences, clean energy, and advanced computing. The bill establishes a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board with representatives from national labs, universities, industry, and tribal nations to guide strategy and fund applications. It also creates a Research, Development and Deployment Fund with an application process, matching requirements for projects, and reporting obligations to track economic impact. This division and fund directly affect state agencies, businesses, research institutions, and entrepreneurs working in New Mexico's targeted innovation sectors. The law aims to coordinate state efforts, attract investment, and support ecosystem development through structured funding and strategic planning.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 172: "NEW MEXICO RED & GREEN CHILE MONTH"

This bill designates August each year as "New Mexico Red and Green Chile Month" to recognize chile's cultural significance and economic impact. It highlights chile's role in blending New Mexico's indigenous and Spanish heritage and acknowledges its importance to the state's agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs. The bill is purely commemorative and does not create new laws or obligations. It directly affects New Mexicans by formally celebrating a symbol central to the state's identity and livelihood.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 532: STUDENT WATER SAFETY GUIDANCE

HB 532 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to create or adopt written or digital water safety guidance for parents. This guidance must include information about local age-appropriate swimming lessons and safety around bodies of water and water infrastructure. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, schools must provide this guidance to parents at student enrollment or no later than the tenth school day, either through handbooks or direct delivery with written acknowledgment. The bill directly affects school boards, charter school governing bodies, and parents of students in New Mexico public schools.

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 70: ADD RACKETEERING CRIMES

SB 70 expands New Mexico's Racketeering Act by adding 37 specific crimes to the definition of "racketeering," including trafficking cannabis products (Section 26-2C-28), sexual exploitation of children, dog fighting, and criminal sexual contact. This change allows prosecutors to pursue racketeering charges against individuals or groups engaging in these offenses as part of a pattern of criminal activity. The bill directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal enterprises by broadening the scope of offenses that qualify for racketeering prosecutions under existing penalties. It does not create new penalties but clarifies which crimes can trigger the Racketeering Act's provisions, such as forfeiture of assets gained through illegal activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice