New Mexico Bills | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 44: STUDY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES

House Memorial 44 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to examine family engagement practices in New Mexico public schools during the 2026 interim. The study will assess current frameworks, identify systemic barriers preventing meaningful family involvement (especially for historically marginalized communities), review evidence-based models, and analyze teacher training opportunities. It will culminate in recommendations for systemic improvements, including potential funding for family liaisons and professional development. This procedural memorial does not enact policy but seeks a data-driven foundation for future action affecting all public school families and educators.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 45: IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN TAOS

This House Memorial (HM 45) recognizes the importance of water for rural communities in Taos County and New Mexico, specifically requesting the Water Quality Control Commission to prioritize a petition from Taos County regarding the reuse of treated "produced water" (water from oil/gas operations). It asks the Commission to consider this petition within 90 days of receipt and hold related hearings in Questa, New Mexico. The memorial emphasizes using treated produced water for industrial needs like data centers to protect freshwater resources, rather than diverting them. As a non-binding memorial, it directly affects Taos County communities and the Commission's procedural timeline.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 33: STUDY PARENTING STUDENTS IN NM HIGHER ED

HM 33 is a House Memorial requesting the New Mexico Higher Education Department to form a task force to study data collection for parenting students (defined as students with primary caregiving responsibilities for dependent children). The task force, including representatives from colleges, tribal institutions, parenting students, and advocacy groups, must develop a statewide data collection standard and report recommendations by November 2026. This would establish consistent methods for institutions to identify parenting students and assess their needs, though the memorial itself does not enact new policies. The effort responds to data showing one in three New Mexico college students are parents, yet no standardized system exists to support them.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 41: STUDY PUBLICLY OWNED UTILITY

This memorial requests the University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research to study whether New Mexico could create a publicly owned electric utility. The study would examine legal requirements, financial considerations, transition planning from current providers, and comparisons with states like Nebraska and Tennessee that operate public utilities. It would assess potential benefits, such as community reinvestment and clean energy use, while analyzing challenges like labor transitions and regulatory frameworks. The bureau must report findings to lawmakers by June 2027, but the memorial itself does not create a utility or change current energy policies.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 55: RADIATION EXPOSURE & COMPENSATION

This memorial acknowledges New Mexico residents affected by radiation from the Trinity nuclear test and uranium mining, urging state agencies to help eligible individuals apply for federal compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act before its December 31, 2027 deadline. It directs the departments of Health, Aging and Long-Term Services, Veterans' Services, and Indian Affairs to collaborate with community organizations and tribal governments to provide outreach, education, and application assistance. The focus is on supporting downwinders, uranium workers, and their families - particularly elders, rural residents, and tribal members - who may need help navigating the federal process. It does not create new benefits but aims to increase awareness and access to existing federal compensation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 32: ADDRESS FORCED STERILIZATION POLICY

House Memorial 32 requests New Mexico's Indian Affairs Department and Commission on the Status of Women to study the history of forced or coerced sterilizations of Indigenous women and women of color in the state. The study would identify past cases, gather survivor testimony using trauma-informed methods, and assess current reproductive health services. It would lead to recommendations for a state truth commission, public memorial, and new reproductive justice programs. As a memorial (not a binding bill), it seeks to document historical harms and guide future action without implementing new laws.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 42: STUDY EMPLOYMENT FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES

House Memorial 42 is a non-binding request asking state departments to study how to address potential job losses and community impacts if three New Mexico immigration detention centers (in Cibola, Otero, and Torrance counties) close. It directs the Economic Development Department to study replacing jobs for the 700+ employees at these facilities, the Corrections and Health departments to explore repurposing the buildings for juvenile detention or healthcare, and state programs to assist affected communities. The study results must be submitted to legislative committees by October 1, 2026. This memorial does not change laws or guarantee facility closures - it only requests analyses to prepare for possible future scenarios.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 38: LOW-INCOME HOME SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES

This memorial requests New Mexico's Energy Department to form a working group to design a pilot project installing portable solar devices (which plug directly into wall outlets) in 5-10 low-income households. The project will measure monthly energy cost savings for participants and assess impacts on local power grids. The working group must include utilities and community organizations experienced in serving low-income renters and households. They must report findings to lawmakers by November 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 37: RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES DECOMMISSION COST

This House Memorial (HM 37) requests New Mexico's Energy Department to study the costs of decommissioning solar and wind energy facilities and recommend financial assurance requirements for their owners. It directly affects solar/wind facility operators (who may need to cover removal and land restoration costs) and taxpayers (who could otherwise bear millions in unplanned expenses if facilities fail early). The study will evaluate decommissioning costs, compare state practices, and propose policies to prevent environmental harm or taxpayer burden. Currently, New Mexico lacks such requirements for renewables, despite a 2025 report warning of potential $974 million in unmet costs. The department must report findings by November 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 58: STUDY PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS

This House Memorial (HM 58) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee and Legislative Finance Committee to study transportation barriers affecting New Mexico public school students. The study will examine whether these barriers contribute to chronic absenteeism - especially for rural students, charter school students, and those living near schools - and identify innovative solutions used in other states. It will also review the effectiveness and equity of current state transportation funding. The committees must report findings and recommendations by December 31, 2026. This is a procedural request for research, not a policy change.

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 57: BILINGUAL EDUCATOR CREDENTIALING

This House Memorial (HM 57) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to examine best practices for credentialing bilingual educators in New Mexico. The study will involve the public education department, higher education institutions, and professional organizations like the New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education, with a focus on improving how bilingual educators are certified. It requires a report by August 15, 2026, to inform future actions on credentialing standards. This request does not change current laws but aims to address a shortage of qualified bilingual educators affecting students.

Topics ✓ Education

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 282: SCHOOL & JUVENILE PROBATION COOPERATION

HB 282 requires schools and juvenile probation services to collaborate on addressing student absenteeism under New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act. It mandates probation officers to review school attendance records for students with legal issues, initiate support for chronically absent students (missing 10%+ school days), and report persistent absences to children's courts. The bill also allows courts to suspend driving privileges for excessively absent students (20%+ absences) at probation's request and makes it a crime for parents to allow continued absences after probation is notified. These provisions directly affect students, parents, schools, and juvenile probation services by creating new pathways for intervention and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education