New Mexico Bills

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 187: NMFA WATER PROJECT FUND

SB 187 appropriates $222 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority's Water Project Fund for water projects authorized by the 2026 legislature. The funds must be spent by the end of fiscal year 2027, with any unused balance reverting to the general fund. This bill directly affects the state's water infrastructure projects by providing dedicated funding for approved initiatives. It does not change policy but enables specific water-related projects through a one-time budget allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 206: RELINQUISHMENT OF INFANTS AT SAFE HAVEN BOXES

SB 206 allows parents to anonymously relinquish infants under 90 days old at designated safe haven sites (like hospitals, fire stations, or police stations) without facing criminal charges for abandonment. Parents have 90 days to contact the Children, Youth and Families Department to seek reunification; if they do not, the department must file to terminate parental rights automatically. Safe haven sites must provide parents with information about adoption services and reunification options, and the bill grants legal immunity to sites that install safe haven baby boxes. The law directly affects parents seeking anonymous relinquishment, infants under 90 days old, and state child welfare agencies managing the process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 265: TAXPAYER DIVIDEND INCOME TAX REBATE FUND

HB 265 creates a new "Taxpayer Dividend Income Tax Rebate Fund" to distribute excess state revenues as direct tax rebates to New Mexico residents. The fund receives money from two sources: (1) excess oil and gas tax revenues (previously allocated to early childhood education), and (2) excess federal mineral leasing funds. Eligible residents who file a New Mexico income tax return by May 31 receive a rebate equal to the fund's prior year balance divided by the total number of filers. The rebate reduces tax liability or is refunded if it exceeds the amount owed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 55: SOLAR MARKET INCOME TAX CREDIT

SB 55 increases New Mexico's income tax credit for solar energy installations to 30% of the cost (up from 10%), with a maximum annual credit of $15,000 per taxpayer. It applies directly to homeowners, businesses, and agricultural operations that install qualifying solar thermal or photovoltaic systems in New Mexico. Taxpayers can transfer their unused credit to another taxpayer, and the state will cap total annual credits at $30 million to prevent overspending. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and expires for tax years ending before 2032.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 29: MILITARY BASE IMPACT FUNDING

HB 29 appropriates $8 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Military Base Impact Fund for fiscal year 2027 and future years. This funding directly supports military bases in New Mexico by providing dedicated financial resources to address impacts from military operations. The bill ensures any unspent funds at year-end remain in the fund rather than reverting to the general budget. It establishes a permanent funding stream to help communities near military installations manage related costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 76: ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT OF YOUTH IN CUSTODY

HB 76 appropriates $10 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for fiscal years 2027-2029 to fund alternative placements for youth in state custody. The bill directs funding toward developing services like residential treatment centers, crisis response teams, specialized foster care, and outpatient programs, aiming to replace group living (congregate care) with more tailored support. It directly affects youth in state custody - particularly older youth and those with higher needs - and the service providers who will deliver these alternatives. The funding expires in 2029, with unused balances reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 35: CREATE ADDITION 1ST DISTRICT JUDGESHIP

SB 35 creates an additional judgeship in New Mexico's First Judicial District, increasing the number of district judges from ten to eleven. The bill appropriates $451,400 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 to cover the new position's costs, including the judge's salary, benefits, and office equipment. Unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund. This change directly affects the First Judicial District court system by expanding its judicial capacity to handle caseloads.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 204: FUNDING FOR TERMINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS

SB 204 appropriates $100 million from the general fund to the Higher Education Department to fill gaps caused by reduced or terminated federal funding for research projects at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The funding is specifically for projects that could still be completed if the federal funding shortfall were addressed. It applies to fiscal years 2027 and 2028, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2028. The bill directly supports these public research institutions and their ongoing projects affected by federal funding changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 203: NORTHERN NM STATE SCHOOL DOCUMENTARY

SB 203 allocates $200,000 from the state general fund to the Board of Regents of Northern New Mexico State School to contract for an educational documentary about historical figure Padre Antonio Jose Martinez. The funds must be spent by fiscal year 2027, with any unused balance reverting to the general fund. This bill directly affects the Board of Regents (as the recipient of funds) and the state budget (through the appropriation and reversion clause). It is a procedural funding measure with no substantive policy changes beyond authorizing the documentary production.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 252: TRANSFER ATHLETIC COMMISSION AUTHORITY

HB 252 transfers the New Mexico Athletic Commission's authority from its current structure to the Regulation and Licensing Department. The bill expands the commission from five to seven members, changes its composition rules, eliminates the Medical Advisory Board, adds new licensing categories for athletic events, and modifies fee structures for the commission fund. This directly affects athletic promoters, fighters (including boxers, mixed martial artists, and sports entertainment wrestlers), and the Regulation and Licensing Department, which will now oversee athletic licensing and enforcement. Key provisions include moving administrative oversight to the department, removing penalties for violations, and updating definitions to align with the new structure. The bill amends specific sections of New Mexico's statutes (60-2A-2 and 60-2A-3 NMSA 1978) to implement these changes.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 13: STUDY RESTRUCTURING LAS VEGAS LAND GRANT

This memorial (SM 13) requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division of the Department of Justice and the Land Grant Council to study potential consequences of restructuring the governance of the Las Vegas land grant. It directly affects the Las Vegas land grant community and the San Miguel County district court, which currently manages the grant under 1903 laws. The study will evaluate changing the court's role in appointing the grant's board of trustees and managing the land, with a report due by December 1, 2026. The bill does not change laws but seeks to assess options for governance reform.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 258: DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN DENTAL HEALTH ACT

HB 258 expands the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in New Mexico by clarifying collaborative work arrangements with dentists. It directly affects dental hygienists, dental therapists, and community dental health coordinators who provide care in non-traditional settings like community health centers. The bill creates new definitions for "collaborative dental hygiene practice" and "dental therapy practice agreements," allowing hygienists to perform more services under defined protocols with a collaborating dentist's oversight, without requiring the dentist to be physically present during all procedures. This change aims to increase access to preventive dental care in underserved areas while maintaining professional accountability through board rules.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results