New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 324: SCHOOL DISTRICT FIREARM SAFETY TRAINING

HB 324 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to provide annual firearm safety training to students in grades 6-12 starting in the 2027-2028 school year, with optional inclusion of grades K-5. The training must cover safe firearm storage, school safety protocols related to firearms, and specific steps for students who find a firearm (like not touching it and telling an adult), all developed by the Public Education Department and Public Safety Department. It mandates the training be age-appropriate, non-shooting (no live ammunition or firearms), viewpoint-neutral on gun rights, and prohibits branded commercial content. Schools must incorporate the approved training into their curriculum without requiring live firearm demonstrations.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 226: URANIUM MINE CLEANUP

SB 226 appropriates $50 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Environment for assessing and cleaning abandoned or neglected contaminated sites, primarily focusing on uranium mining sites without responsible parties to fund cleanup. The funds are available for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2029. This bill directly affects the state budget and communities near contaminated sites, as it provides a dedicated funding source for cleanup where private parties cannot be held accountable. The key mechanism is the dedicated state funding for site assessment and remediation, targeting sites that otherwise would remain unaddressed due to lack of liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 282: SCHOOL & JUVENILE PROBATION COOPERATION

HB 282 requires schools and juvenile probation services to collaborate on addressing student absenteeism under New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act. It mandates probation officers to review school attendance records for students with legal issues, initiate support for chronically absent students (missing 10%+ school days), and report persistent absences to children's courts. The bill also allows courts to suspend driving privileges for excessively absent students (20%+ absences) at probation's request and makes it a crime for parents to allow continued absences after probation is notified. These provisions directly affect students, parents, schools, and juvenile probation services by creating new pathways for intervention and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 280: YOUTH INTERNSHIP PILOT PROJECT

HB 280 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico that provides grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and tribal entities to fund paid internships for youth aged 14-22. The grants supplement internship pay (requiring shared funding from host organizations), cover support services like career counseling, and must collect data on outcomes such as internship completion and post-internship employment. The Workforce Solutions Department will administer the program, requiring grantees to have complaint systems and report annually to the legislature. The bill appropriates $250,000 (2027-2029) for this initiative, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 234: FOSTER CHILD SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

SB 234 allocates $1.2 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Public Education Department for the Albuquerque Public School District to provide school transportation to and from school for foster children. The bill directly affects foster children in Albuquerque schools by ensuring consistent transportation access, addressing a common barrier to education. Key provisions include dedicated annual funding for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, with unspent balances carrying forward instead of reverting to the general fund. This is a funding appropriation bill focused on practical support for foster youth, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 51: DETENTION CENTER EMPLOYEES OPPORTUNITIES

This House Memorial (HM 51) requests state departments to study how to support workers and repurpose detention facilities if contracts with U.S. immigration authorities end. It directs the Economic Development and Workforce Solutions departments to explore new job opportunities for affected employees, while the Corrections, Children/Youth/Families, and Health Care departments must examine alternative uses for the facilities (e.g., healthcare, community services). The studies, due by October 1, 2026, aim to address potential economic impacts on communities near Cibola, Otero, and Torrance County detention centers. As a procedural memorial, it does not enact new law but seeks planning for possible future changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 244: UNM STUDENT ATHLETES FUNDING

SB 244 allocates $5 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Board of Regents for fiscal year 2027 to directly support UNM student athletes. The funding covers specific needs like travel, nutrition, and other athlete-related expenses during their participation in intercollegiate sports. Any unspent portion of the appropriation must be returned to the general fund by the end of fiscal year 2027. This bill creates a one-time state funding mechanism for UNM athletic programs, with no ongoing financial commitment beyond the specified fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 315: FREE-ROAMING HORSE MANAGEMENT

HB 315 amends New Mexico's Livestock Code to establish rules for managing free-roaming horses - unclaimed horses not domesticated or under federal jurisdiction. It requires the Livestock Board to approve "free-roaming horse experts" who can use fertility control, relocate, or adopt these horses, while banning their slaughter or export for slaughter. The bill also updates definitions, mandates board oversight of experts' qualifications, and clarifies that equine rescue facilities must meet specific standards for humane care. These changes directly affect free-roaming horses in New Mexico, the Livestock Board, and professionals managing horse populations.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 230: NM HISTORIC WOMEN MARKER PROGRAM

SB 230 allocates $450,000 from the state general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department to expand and continue the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program through fiscal year 2029. The program places markers honoring significant women in New Mexico history, directly benefiting the department and the public through historical recognition. Unspent funds by 2029 must revert to the general fund. This is a funding bill, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 249: MISSING & MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

SB 249 appropriates $1 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Attorney General for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force during fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports efforts to address cases affecting Indigenous communities in New Mexico by continuing the task force's work on investigations, data collection, and community engagement. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must return to the general fund. The legislation focuses on providing concrete financial resources for the task force's ongoing operations, without altering existing legal standards or creating new obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 243: NMSU STUDENT ACTIVITIES

SB 243 allocates $5 million from the state general fund to New Mexico State University's Board of Regents for fiscal year 2027 to support student athletes. The funds cover direct needs like travel, nutrition, and other athlete-related expenses. Any unspent money at year-end must return to the general fund. This bill directly affects NMSU student athletes and the university's athletic program funding. It is a straightforward funding appropriation with no policy changes beyond the specified budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 275: GILA REGIONAL CANCER CENTER BONDS

HB 275 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to issue revenue bonds totaling up to $5.7 million to fund cancer center improvements at the Gila Regional Medical Center in Grant County and Nor-Lea General Hospital in Lea County. The bonds will finance specific projects including facility upgrades, equipment purchases (like PET scanners), electronic health records systems, and chemotherapy clean rooms. Local officials from Grant County and the Nor-Lea hospital district must certify the need for funding before bonds can be issued, with proceeds directed to the medical centers for these designated purposes. The bill focuses on direct infrastructure and equipment investments for cancer treatment services in two rural New Mexico counties.

Topics ✓ Healthcare