HB 228 creates a new third-degree felony offense for carrying a firearm while trafficking controlled substances, defined as violating existing drug trafficking laws (Section 30-31-20 NMSA 1978). It directly affects individuals convicted of drug trafficking who also possess a firearm during the crime. The bill specifies that "firearm" includes any weapon designed to expel a projectile or its frame/receiver. Violators face sentencing under existing felony penalties (Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978) and the law takes effect July 1, 2026. This amendment does not change drug trafficking laws but adds a separate penalty for firearm possession during such offenses.
HB 131 establishes a new Planning Bureau within New Mexico's Economic Development Department to coordinate state land, facility, and resource use for growth and development. The bureau must create a comprehensive state development plan every three years, focusing on job/housing/transportation needs and collaboration with agencies like Transportation, Environment, housing authorities, and Native nations (upon request). It requires ongoing coordination with local governments and regional planning bodies, and includes a $1 million annual appropriation for staffing. The bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, and Native nations by mandating structured planning collaboration.
HB 237 creates New Mexico's Small Business Disaster Relief Program, providing state grants to small businesses in areas declared disaster zones by the governor when federal aid or insurance reimbursement is unavailable. The program covers operating expenses (payroll, rent, utilities), property repairs, and other disaster-related costs, with applicants required to demonstrate lack of other funding sources. It establishes a $1 million nonreverting fund in the state treasury (appropriated from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 onward), administered by the Economic Development Department through a competitive review process. The department must report annually on grant recipients, amounts, and employment impacts to the legislative finance committee.
This bill proposes creating a permanent 12-member legislative committee to oversee state agency rules in New Mexico. The committee, appointed by party leaders in both houses, would review proposed rules before public hearings, recommend changes to agencies, and suggest to the legislature that rules be overturned if they conflict with existing laws. It requires monthly meetings during legislative breaks and would need voter approval to become part of the state constitution. The measure directly affects state agencies that create rules and gives the legislature a new formal mechanism to challenge those rules during sessions.
HB 13 creates the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining a new license. It directly affects licensed therapists seeking to work across state lines, patients accessing services in different states, and military spouses relocating with their partners. Key mechanisms include establishing "compact privilege" for interstate practice, requiring states to share disciplinary and investigative information through a national data system, and supporting telehealth delivery of services. The bill aims to improve access to occupational therapy while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure standards.
SB 123 allocates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Public Education Department to provide grants to public schools for purchasing, installing, testing, or maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The funding is restricted to schools meeting specific requirements under state law and excludes urban-area schools from 2027 grants, with a maximum of $400,000 spent annually through fiscal year 2029. Unspent funds by 2029 will revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects public schools seeking AED equipment funding, with no new mandates beyond the existing legal requirements for school AED programs.
HB 243 creates an Equine Welfare Trust Fund and amends the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund to better support registered equine rescue and retirement facilities in New Mexico. It transfers $5 million from the state’s General Fund to the new Trust Fund, which will invest the money and annually transfer 4% of its average value to the Shelter Fund starting in 2027. The Shelter Fund will then provide annual grants to eligible facilities (such as tax-exempt organizations not breeding horses) for costs like shelter, veterinary care, adoption programs, and basic equine welfare services. Facilities must apply for funding and report on their use of funds, and the state must submit annual reports to the legislature on fund distribution and outcomes.
SB 163 renames New Mexico's "geothermal electricity generation" tax credits to "geothermal energy production" credits and establishes a tiered credit system based on kilowatt-hour output. The credit rate starts at $0.015 per kilowatt-hour in the first operational year, increases to $0.04 by year six, then decreases over the next four years, with a yearly production cap of 200,000 megawatt-hours per facility. Total annual credits are capped at $55 million, including $11 million reserved for tribal and small businesses, and credits can be transferred to other taxpayers. This bill directly affects geothermal energy producers in New Mexico who own or hold an interest in geothermal facilities.
This bill allows New Mexico businesses selling gold or silver coins or bullion to deduct those sales from their gross receipts tax (a tax on business sales) until July 1, 2031. It specifically defines "bullion" as metal bars, ingots, or commemorative medallions where value depends on metal content, not form. Taxpayers must report these deductions to the state, and the cost of the deduction will be tracked in annual tax expenditure reports. The bill applies directly to businesses engaged in selling qualifying gold or silver products.
SB 181 appropriates $1.3 million from the general fund for New Mexico's alert systems, including turquoise (state-specific), amber, brittany, and silver alerts. It funds system modernization ($1 million), two new staff positions (a tribal liaison analyst and an IT developer), and a $250,000 public awareness campaign to build community trust. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, tribal communities, and the public by improving coordination and response for missing persons cases. It focuses on funding existing alert protocols without altering their operational structure.
HB 217 appropriates $3 million from the state general fund to Western New Mexico University's Board of Regents for digitizing university files during fiscal year 2027. The funds must be spent by the end of 2027, with any unexpended balance reverting to the state treasury. This bill directly affects Western New Mexico University's administrative operations by providing dedicated funding for a specific digital infrastructure project. The legislation is purely procedural, focusing on financial allocation rather than policy changes.
HB 236 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for its "Pathways Statewide Collaborative" program. The funding supports health professional pathway programs, including STEM education and health sciences training, as well as youth leadership development activities. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must be returned to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM Health Sciences Center programs and the students participating in these pathway initiatives.
