New Mexico Bills

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 15: MEDICAL INJURY COLLABORATIVE RESOLUTION ACT

HB 15, the Medical Injury Collaborative Resolution Act, creates a formal process for patients and healthcare providers to discuss adverse health care outcomes (like injuries or deaths resulting from care) through "adverse outcome conferences." It directly affects patients who experience medical harm and healthcare providers involved in those incidents. Key provisions require written notice about patient rights (including medical records access and legal counsel), mandate that statements made during conferences cannot establish fault or limit legal claims, and require providers to keep settlement offers open for 15 days. The bill does not change lawsuit timelines or legal liability but aims to facilitate open communication and potential settlements outside of court. The bill is currently pending in the New Mexico legislature after passing committee reviews.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 62: RENAME & CREATE GEOTHERMAL TAX CREDITS

HB 62 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. It provides tax credits ranging from $0.015 to $0.035 per kWh (increasing over the first five years then decreasing), capped at 200,000 megawatt-hours per facility annually. The bill limits total annual credits to $55 million, reserving $11 million for tribal and small businesses, and allows credit transfers between taxpayers. This directly affects geothermal energy producers in New Mexico who own facilities generating electricity from geothermal resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 17: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN CERTAIN AREAS

HB 17 allows homeowners in New Mexico to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as small apartments or cottages on the same property as a primary residence, in residential zoning districts. The bill requires local governments to permit at least one ADU per residential lot without imposing owner-occupancy rules, extra fees, or more than one parking space per unit. It also permits multifamily housing (like duplexes) in commercial districts and areas near public transit stops or rail stations. ADUs must be independent living units with separate entrances, cooking, and sanitation facilities, and cannot exceed 1,000 square feet in size. This law aims to increase housing options by streamlining the process for adding secondary units to existing properties.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 199: FUND DISBURSEMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL RADIO

SB 199 expands an existing fund to cover radio equipment replacement at state educational institutions. It amends the law to explicitly allow disbursements from the Educational Television Equipment Replacement Fund for radio stations operated by New Mexico's public schools or state universities, alongside existing television equipment. The bill does not create new funding but clarifies that current disbursement procedures - administered by the Higher Education Department and paid via state warrant - apply to radio equipment. This directly affects state colleges and public schools operating educational radio stations.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 49: INCREASE FELON FIREARM PENALTY

HB 49 increases penalties for felons who receive, transport, or possess firearms or destructive devices in New Mexico. It specifically raises the penalty for first-time felon firearm possession from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony, and to a first-degree felony for repeat offenses. The bill applies directly to individuals convicted of felonies who have not completed their sentence, probation, or received a pardon within the past ten years. Key provisions clarify definitions of "serious violent felon" and "destructive device" while raising criminal charges for violations. This policy change aims to strengthen restrictions on firearm access for certain convicted individuals.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 185: INCREASE GASOLINE TAX

SB 185 increases New Mexico's gasoline tax from 17 cents to 20 cents per gallon, effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects all drivers and businesses purchasing gasoline within the state, as the tax applies to every gallon received in New Mexico. The bill amends Section 7-13-3 of the state tax code to update the excise tax rate. The policy change is a straightforward rate adjustment with no additional provisions or exemptions described in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 154: INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WILDFIRE & FLOODS

SB 154 requires New Mexico property insurance policies that cover wildfire damage to also include coverage for related flood damage, landslides, debris flows, mudflows, or similar events for five years after a wildfire is controlled. This directly affects homeowners and property owners in New Mexico whose insurance policies cover wildfire risks. The bill mandates that insurers automatically include these related flood events in coverage for policies issued on or after July 1, 2026. It does not change existing coverage for standalone flood events but extends wildfire policy protection to linked post-wildfire hazards. The law applies only to new policies after the effective date, not existing coverage.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 47: FOOD RECOVERY & COMPOSTING ACT

SB 47, the "Food Recovery and Composting Act," creates a state program within New Mexico's Department of Environment to advance food recovery and composting. It establishes a Food Recovery and Composting Advisory Group with diverse representation (including tribes, municipalities, and industry) to guide grant funding and programming. The bill imposes a $3-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal (reduced to $2/ton for facilities with on-site composting) to fund a dedicated "Food Recovery and Composting Fund," which will support grants for eligible entities like counties, tribes, and composting facilities starting January 2027. These grants will finance initiatives such as pilot programs, education, and infrastructure for reducing organic waste and expanding composting.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 166: LIMIT RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FENCES

HB 166 limits local government restrictions on battery-charged fences with alarm systems outside areas zoned exclusively for residential use. It prohibits counties and municipalities from banning these fences, imposing extra installation requirements beyond IEC standards, or requiring additional permits beyond standard alarm permits. The bill sets specific safety rules: fences must use ≤12V batteries, produce ≤IEC-standard electrical charge, be enclosed by a ≥5-foot non-electric fence, reach ≥10 feet height, and display "WARNING: ELECTRIC FENCE" signs every 30 feet. This directly affects property owners in commercial or mixed-use zones seeking to install such security fencing without local regulatory barriers.

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 132: POLICE OFFICER WORKERS COMP CONDITIONS

HB 132 would create a legal presumption that specific health conditions are work-related for New Mexico police officers, directly affecting commissioned officers (including sheriffs, deputies, and certain missile range civilian police) who meet the eligibility criteria. The bill presumes that PTSD (after 20 years for pre-2013 hires, 25 years for later hires), back pain from wearing a duty belt, and heart issues (same timeframes) were caused by employment. Employers could rebut these presumptions with evidence showing non-work-related causes, but would initially cover medical treatment until a court rules otherwise. If a court finds the condition isn’t work-related, the employer’s insurer would be reimbursed by the officer’s health insurance plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 196: LAS VEGAS ANIMAL CARE CENTER PROGRAMS

SB 196 allocates $2.5 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 to fund spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and facility improvements at the Las Vegas Animal Care Center. The bill directly affects the center's operations by providing funding for essential animal health services and infrastructure upgrades. It requires the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration to contract these services, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by year-end. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused on supporting animal welfare services at a specific municipal facility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 264: VARIOUS INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS

HB 264 creates new tax deductions for New Mexico taxpayers earning tips (based on federal Section 224), overtime pay (federal Section 225), and Social Security income (federal Section 151). It replaces the Working Families Tax Credit with a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) modeled after federal rules, adds a new Foster Parent and Guardian Income Tax Credit, and expands the medical expense deduction to apply to taxpayers of all income levels. The bill also extends tax deductions for healthcare practitioners to include patient coinsurance payments. These provisions directly affect low-to-moderate income earners, tip-based workers, retirees, and foster care providers by modifying how their income is taxed under New Mexico law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results