New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 21: "NEW MEXICO FOOD & FARMS DAY"

House Memorial 21 designates January 30, 2026, as "New Mexico Food and Farms Day" to honor individuals and organizations advancing local food systems and farm-to-table initiatives across the state. It specifically recognizes 2026 award recipients, including farmers' markets, sustainable food centers, young farmers, and land stewards, for their contributions to community food access and economic resilience. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of efforts to strengthen New Mexico's food system and end hunger.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 24: STUDY RESTRUCTURING LAS VEGAS LAND GRANT

House Memorial 24 requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division and Land Grant Council to study potential consequences of changing how the Las Vegas land grant is governed. Currently, a district court manages the land grant (since 1903), but this structure has led to disputes over self-governance for land grant members and heirs. The study will examine revising the 1903 law (Chapter 49, Article 6 NMSA 1978) that gives the court management authority, following agreement from both the court and land grant members that the current system needs adjustment. The entities must report findings to legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a policy change.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 26: STATE AGENCY INSECT WORKSHOP

This memorial requests seven New Mexico state agencies - including the Department of Game and Fish, State Land Office, and Department of Agriculture - to attend a 2026 workshop on insect identification, ecology, and management. Sponsored by the Wild Friends program, UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology, and the Xerces Society, the workshop aims to improve agency knowledge of insects’ ecological roles. Agencies are encouraged to share educational materials developed by students and the sponsors, focusing on public outreach about insects’ importance to pollination, soil health, and ecosystem balance. The memorial does not create new laws but seeks to foster collaboration between agencies and educational partners to address public misconceptions about insects. It is a non-binding request, not a legislative mandate.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HJM 3: PER- & POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES REPORT

HJM 3 is a joint memorial requesting two reports about New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act (HB 212, enacted in 2025). It asks the Environmental Improvement Board to assess how well the law's phaseout rules for PFAS-containing products are working, and the Department of Environment to evaluate risks from exemptions (like those for fluoropolymers) and recommend changes. The reports must cover implementation effectiveness, public health/environmental risks, and economic impacts. Agencies must submit preliminary findings by December 2026 and a final report by August 2027. This memorial does not change laws but seeks data to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 64: CREATE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

SB 64 creates a dedicated Office of Special Education within New Mexico's Public Education Department and establishes a Deputy Secretary for Special Education. It reorganizes existing special education laws into a new "Special Education Act," explicitly removing gifted students from the definition of special education services. The bill also redefines key terms like dyslexia and outlines the office's responsibilities for overseeing special education programs across all school districts, including charter schools. This structural change aims to streamline oversight and implementation of special education services statewide.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HJM 2: IPRA IMPLEMENTATION STUDY TASK FORCE

HJM 2 is a joint memorial requesting New Mexico's Attorney General to create a task force to study how effectively the state's Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) provides public access to government records. The task force must gather input from stakeholders - including courts, local governments, media, civil liberties groups, and legal experts - to evaluate IPRA's clarity, transparency, and public accountability impact. It will determine if legislative changes are needed to improve the law, with proposed changes to be considered by the 58th Legislature. This procedural resolution directly affects state agencies handling public records and aims to strengthen government transparency through a formal review process.

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 4: STUDY HIGHER ED HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

This procedural memorial (HM 4) requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees across New Mexico's public universities. The study will examine current coverage gaps - such as UNM being the only institution providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate students - and evaluate options for expanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, including fiscal impacts and workforce effects, with a report due by October 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 30: TEACHER RESIDENCY ACT CHANGES

HB 30 modifies New Mexico's Teacher Residency Act by setting stipends for teaching residents as a percentage of the minimum salary for entry-level teachers (35% for undergraduates, 80% for those with bachelor's degrees). It allows teaching residents to work at any public school after completing their residency, not just the sponsoring district, and requires partner districts or charter schools to offer employment based on staffing needs and performance. This directly affects teaching residents, public school districts, and charter schools participating in the residency program. The bill updates payment structures and employment rules to increase flexibility for residents and districts.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 29: MATH REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHING LICENSE

SB 29 increases mathematics requirements for teachers seeking New Mexico teaching licenses or math endorsements. It mandates nine semester hours of college-level math (up from six) for all teaching licenses and requires six hours of specialized math teaching courses for those seeking a math endorsement, effective July 2027. The bill also establishes a Mathematics and Science Bureau to implement new frameworks, including mandatory math screening assessments for students and district-level math professional learning plans. These changes directly affect educators pursuing initial licensure or math endorsements, aiming to strengthen math instruction through standardized teacher preparation and school-level support systems.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 37: HIGH QUALITY LITERACY INSTRUCTION ACT

SB 37, the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act, requires New Mexico public schools to use research-backed reading methods for students in kindergarten through third grade. It mandates annual literacy assessments for these students and provides interventions for those struggling with reading, while requiring schools to use approved instructional materials that align with evidence-based practices. The bill also sets new standards for teacher preparation programs, including 100+ hours of supervised field experience in structured literacy methods and training to identify reading difficulties. These changes directly affect K-3 students, public schools, literacy coaches, and teacher training programs across New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 8: HIGHER ED. MAJOR PROJECTS FUND

HB 8 creates a $300 million Higher Education Major Projects Fund in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by a transfer from the general fund. The bill allows state universities and community colleges to use these funds for major construction projects, including research facilities costing $50 million or more, student housing, and student life facilities like recreation centers. It requires institutions to cover 25-50% of project costs through non-state sources (like donations or bonds), with waivers possible if institutions cannot afford matches. Initial priorities include $150 million for a new UNM medical school, $50 million for a NMSU building, and $100 million for student housing statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 17: TV & FILM INDUSTRY TASK FORCE

House Memorial 17 requests New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department to create a task force by July 2026. The task force will study industry practices - including talent management, casting services, and agent activities - and recommend a regulatory framework for New Mexico's film, TV, and performing arts sectors. It will include representatives from unions, film offices, casting organizations, and government departments. The goal is to address gaps in oversight and develop transparency measures for performers, managers, and producers, with a final report due November 2026.