SB 109 prevents utilities from recovering costs related to abandoning power plants if they later build new natural gas resources. Specifically, it blocks qualifying utilities from applying for financing orders to recover energy transition costs (like employee severance, decommissioning, and mine reclamation) through energy transition bonds if they construct new natural gas facilities. The bill amends existing law to deny this cost-recovery mechanism for utilities abandoning generating facilities while developing new natural gas infrastructure. This directly affects utilities seeking to transition away from certain power sources while expanding natural gas operations.
This Senate Memorial (SM 5) requests New Mexico's governor to designate May 2026 as "Better Hearing and Speech Month" in the state. It highlights that communication disorders affect over 14 million Americans and one in ten New Mexico families, emphasizing the need for accessible treatment and support. The resolution specifically asks the governor to make this designation and directs copies to the governor and the New Mexico Speech-Language and Hearing Association. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but aims to raise awareness about speech, language, and hearing needs.
SB 114 prohibits hedge funds, private equity firms, corporations, and other businesses from purchasing single-family homes in New Mexico. The bill directly affects these investment entities by restricting their ability to buy residential properties, though it exempts limited liability companies (LLCs) organized under New Mexico's Limited Liability Company Act. Key provisions include a clear ban on such purchases for non-LLC businesses, with the LLC exemption being the only exception specified. The bill focuses on limiting corporate ownership of single-family homes without detailing enforcement mechanisms or other exceptions.
SB 121 increases New Mexico's tobacco products tax rate from 25% to 40% on most tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The bill directs 35% of the additional tax revenue to a new "Nicotine Use Prevention and Control Fund" administered by the Department of Health. This fund will finance youth-focused prevention programs, educational materials, and advertising for people aged 5-25, in collaboration with education departments. The tax hike directly affects tobacco manufacturers, retailers, and consumers through higher prices on products like cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and e-liquids.
SB 119 creates a $5 million state fund to help demolish deteriorated or condemned residential properties in New Mexico. It provides grants to counties and municipalities for demolishing such properties and allows property owners to apply for reimbursement if their home is in a blighted area under redevelopment or if repair costs significantly exceed demolition costs. The fund, administered by the state Department of Finance and Administration, will operate through rules to be finalized by December 2026. Unspent funds will carry forward annually, with the first $5 million appropriated for fiscal year 2027.
SB 127 creates a new Homelessness Reduction Division within New Mexico's Health Care Authority to coordinate state efforts addressing homelessness. The division will develop a statewide strategic plan, establish a "homeless data integration system" to track homelessness data across local services (while protecting health and personal information from public records requests), and collaborate with state agencies. It also establishes an Interagency Task Force (including all major agency secretaries) and a Homelessness Reduction Advisory Council to advise on policy and implementation. This bill directly affects state agencies, local homeless service providers, and residents experiencing homelessness by restructuring coordination around housing stability and health outcomes.
SB 103 makes it a crime to interfere with aircraft flight, specifically adding directing a laser at an aircraft to the list of prohibited acts. It directly affects individuals who point lasers at aircraft (e.g., from the ground), imposing penalties based on severity: a fourth-degree felony for first offenses, third-degree for repeat offenses or causing medical harm. The law amends New Mexico’s criminal code to define "laser" and sets sentencing requirements under existing felony statutes. This bill creates clear criminal penalties for actions that endanger aircraft operations, without changing other aspects of aviation safety law.
HB 136 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to create a centralized credentialing system for Medicaid managed care providers, so providers submit one application to the Authority instead of multiple applications to different Medicaid plans. Medicaid managed care contractors must review applications within 30 days (extendable by 15 days for specific cases) and load approved provider information into their payment systems within that timeframe. The bill also limits re-credentialing to once every three years after initial approval. This directly affects Medicaid managed care providers and the contractors that manage Medicaid plans.
SB 124 creates a new state fund to support major capital projects at New Mexico's public colleges and universities. The fund finances research/instruction facilities costing $50 million or more at four-year universities, and student housing/life projects (like recreation centers and dining halls) at all public institutions. Projects must meet matching requirements (10-50% from non-state sources like bonds or fees), with waivers possible if institutions can't afford the match. The bill also requires graduation rate data for Division I athletic facility projects and mandates documentation on student population needs for new facilities.
HB 113, the Renewable Energy Production Tax Act, imposes a 3.75% excise tax on electricity generated from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, or qualifying biomass) at commercial facilities in New Mexico. It applies to electricity sold in the wholesale market, with tax calculated based on the monthly average wholesale price, and requires payment by the 25th of the following month. Revenue from this tax will be directed to the Severance Tax Permanent Fund, and the law exempts government entities, tribal lands, and small-scale personal use (under 500 kWh daily). The tax begins on January 1, 2027, affecting commercial renewable energy producers but not residential or exempt entities.
SB 157 allows New Mexico residents and businesses to use portable solar devices (under 1,920 watts) that connect to standard home outlets without utility approval or fees. It exempts owners from interconnection rules and net-metering requirements, and specifies that any electricity fed back to the grid during normal use isn’t compensated. The bill also voids property restrictions that block these devices and requires them to include safety features preventing backfeeding during power outages. This directly affects individuals installing small-scale portable solar systems for personal on-site energy use.
New Mexico's SB 155 requires state agencies to use "Judea and Samaria," "Judea," or "Samaria" instead of "West Bank" when referring to land adjacent to Jordan that Israel regained after the 1967 Six-Day War. It applies to all official government communications like rules, press releases, or guidance documents prepared by state departments, boards, or commissions. The bill explicitly excludes teaching or research materials produced by state-employed college instructors from this requirement. This is a procedural change to standardize terminology in state government materials, not a policy affecting residents or land rights.
