New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 117: DEATH CERTIFICATE BY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

HB 117 allows physician assistants (PAs) to certify the cause of death on a death certificate when they were the treating provider for the patient's illness or condition, without requiring physician approval. This directly affects PAs, hospitals, and medical facilities by expanding their authority under New Mexico’s death certification rules (amending Section 24-14-20 NMSA 1978). The key change explicitly adds PAs to the list of authorized certifiers alongside physicians and nurse practitioners, removing the prior need for physician oversight in such cases. It does not alter existing timeframes for filing death certificates or medical investigation procedures. The bill became law after being signed in April 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 113: ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAM AND TRUST FUND

HB 113 creates a state Animal Welfare Program to fund projects supporting domestic cats and dogs, with grants available to municipalities, counties, or nonprofit organizations. It establishes an Animal Welfare Trust Fund (funded by a $10 million one-time transfer from the General Fund) that distributes 5% annually to an Animal Welfare Program Fund, which awards competitive grants for specific initiatives like spay/neuter services, shelter improvements, cruelty enforcement, and low-income household support (income ≤200% of federal poverty level). Projects must address animal welfare needs such as reducing shelter intake, controlling strays, or providing emergency veterinary care. The program requires annual reporting to the legislature on funded projects, unmet requests, and administrative costs, starting October 1, 2028.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 296: PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

HB 296 amends New Mexico's Public Accountancy Act to update licensing rules for accountants. It requires out-of-state practitioners seeking to practice in New Mexico to meet licensure standards that are comparable to or stricter than New Mexico's own requirements for education, exams, and experience. The bill clarifies that "comparable licensure" means meeting or exceeding New Mexico's specific benchmarks, ensuring consistency for professionals moving to the state. This directly affects accountants licensed in other states who wish to work in New Mexico, requiring them to demonstrate equivalent qualifications.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 468: RETIRING OF STATE FLAGS

HB 468 establishes clear procedures for retiring New Mexico state flags no longer in use. It requires flags to be destroyed (preferably by burning) in a dignified ceremony, either publicly with military or patriotic groups or privately. This applies directly to all government entities, schools, and private organizations that display the New Mexico state flag, ensuring its retirement honors its significance as a state emblem.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 93: ADVANCED GRID TECHNOLOGY PLANS

HB 93 requires New Mexico electricity companies to submit detailed "advanced grid technology plans" to the Public Regulation Commission alongside their regular resource plans. These plans must identify transmission congestion points, propose specific technology projects (like dynamic line ratings or advanced power flow controllers) to address them, and include cost analyses. Approved projects can recover costs through rate increases (tariff riders or base rates), with the Commission reviewing plans to ensure they save ratepayers money, improve grid reliability, support renewable energy integration, and benefit low-income communities. The law applies to most utilities but excludes rural electric cooperatives.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 56: MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS FOR BIRTH CENTERS

HB 56 requires New Mexico's Medicaid program to reimburse birth centers at the same rate as hospitals for equivalent services provided to Medicaid recipients. This applies specifically to freestanding birth centers (not hospital-attached facilities) that provide low-risk deliveries, ensuring these centers receive equal payment for services like prenatal care and childbirth. The bill directs the Secretary of Health Care Authority to adopt rules implementing this equal reimbursement policy. It directly affects birth centers seeking Medicaid reimbursement and Medicaid recipients accessing care at these facilities. The law aims to create financial parity between birth centers and hospitals under the state's Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 122: EXPAND PRESCRIPTION DRUG DONATION PROGRAM

SB 122 expands New Mexico's prescription drug donation program to allow more healthcare providers and facilities to participate in collecting and redistributing unused prescription drugs. It specifically adds licensed health care facilities and practitioners (beyond just clinics) as eligible recipients, permits out-of-state pharmacies to distribute drugs via mail or in-person, and requires safety checks for refrigerated drugs and tamper-evident packaging. The bill establishes rules for inspecting drugs, labeling, storing, and charging only reasonable handling fees to cover costs. It also provides liability protection for donors, recipients, and redistributors who follow safety procedures, while clarifying that manufacturers remain liable for their own products. The law, signed into effect on April 9, 2025, directly affects patients who receive donated medications and participating healthcare entities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 159: INDEPENDENT THEATER BEER & WINE LICENSES

SB 159 allows independent theaters in New Mexico to serve beer and wine during movie screenings or events, directly affecting qualifying theaters that meet specific criteria (single location, New Mexico-based, operating for at least one year). The bill establishes a $100 annual license fee, limits service to two 12-ounce beers or two 6-ounce wine servings per customer per event, and requires local government approval. The license cannot be transferred between locations or individuals, and servers must hold valid permits. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 178: NURSING PRACTICE CHANGES

HB 178 amends New Mexico's Nursing Practice Act to clarify which nurses can administer general anesthesia, anesthetics, and sedatives, directly affecting registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice nurses (including nurse anesthetists). The bill defines specific scope-of-practice boundaries for each nurse category and updates licensing procedures to align with these clarifications. It also expands the Board of Nursing's authority, modifies disciplinary processes, and mandates confidentiality for communications related to potential disciplinary actions. These changes aim to provide clearer, more consistent guidelines for nursing practice and administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 249: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER GROSS RECEIPTS

SB 249 requires New Mexico to reimburse health care providers for state sales taxes paid on Medicaid payments. It directly affects providers who treat Medicaid patients by ensuring they receive back taxes they previously paid on those reimbursements. The law mandates that Medicaid payments include a clear line item showing the exact amount reimbursed for taxes. This bill became law after passing both chambers and being signed in April 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 63: PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA CHANGES

HB 63 updates New Mexico's public school funding formula to provide more resources for schools serving students from extremely/very low-income families and students learning English. It increases base funding for grades 6-12, creates a new funding unit specifically for English Learner programs, and adjusts how schools with high at-risk student populations are calculated. The bill includes a "hold harmless" provision to prevent funding cuts during implementation. These changes directly affect all public school districts and charter schools in New Mexico, particularly those with significant populations of low-income students or English Learner students.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 72: NONPROFIT CONDO ASSOC. REMOTE BUSINESS

SB 72 allows nonprofit condominium associations in New Mexico to conduct meetings and vote remotely using electronic means, such as video conferencing or email. It amends laws to permit electronic notice for meetings (with owner consent), count remote participation toward quorum requirements, and enable voting via remote electronic methods. This directly affects nonprofit condo associations and their members, making it easier for owners to participate without physical attendance. The bill updates meeting, quorum, and voting rules to explicitly include remote electronic participation as a valid option under association bylaws.