Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2: GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT OF 2026

HB 2, the General Appropriation Act of 2026, allocates funding for New Mexico's state government operations during fiscal year 2027. It directs $55 million from the general fund to legislative agencies and $496 million from the general fund to the judiciary, with additional amounts from other funding sources. The bill requires unspent funds at year-end to automatically return to the general fund by October 1, 2026 and 2027, and establishes accounting rules for tracking revenue and expenditures. This bill affects all state agencies by setting their budget allocations and spending rules for the 2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for operations, mandates unspent funds return to general fund, promoting fiscal responsibility per budget management indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

vetoed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 153: LOW-CARBON CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL REBATE ACT

HB 153 establishes a state rebate program to incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as cement, steel, and glass, in eligible projects (over one residential unit or 5,000 square feet of nonresidential space). Material buyers (e.g., developers or contractors) can receive rebates for purchasing materials meeting emissions benchmarks set by the Department of Environment - 15% below industry-average greenhouse gas emissions - verified through independently assessed environmental product declarations. Rebates are capped at $500,000 per project and $10 million statewide annually, with priority given to projects achieving the greatest emissions reductions and using New Mexico-made materials. The program requires annual reporting on emissions reductions and includes strict antifraud measures, including penalties for false claims.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded rebate program requiring government expenditure for low-carbon construction materials, directly allocating budget resources to incentivize industry adoption.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRebates for low-carbon construction materials reduce emissions, advancing energy efficiency and clean infrastructure goals per bill's emissions benchmarks and environmental focus.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes rebates for materials meeting 15% below industry emissions benchmark, directly reducing construction sector GHG emissions through state incentive program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 80: OIL & GAS CONSERVATION TAX ACT CHANGES

HB 80 increases funding for New Mexico's Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund by raising the tax distribution percentage from 2/19% to 50% starting July 2027, gradually increasing to 100% through 2037 before returning to 50% after 2037. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators (through higher tax contributions) and the state's energy department (which administers the fund). Key provisions include expanding fund use to cover energy education programs ($150,000 annually) and requiring the department to plug abandoned wells, restore sites, and pursue cost recovery from operators. Funds will be managed under the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department with annual reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases oil/gas tax rates to fund reclamation and energy education programs, directly boosting state budget allocation for environmental and educational initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases oil/gas operator taxes to fund reclamation, directly addressing environmental cleanup of damaged sites through expanded reclamation fund provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 193: ACEQUIA & DITCH INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TRANSFER

This bill increases the annual transfer of funds from the New Mexico Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. It directly affects acequia (traditional community irrigation systems) and local ditch infrastructure projects by providing them with doubled annual funding. The key mechanism is an amendment to existing state statute governing fund allocations, while maintaining a separate $1 million annual transfer to the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and represents a concrete policy shift in water infrastructure funding priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual funding allocation for acequia infrastructure from $2.5M to $5M, directly boosting state budget spending on essential public water infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 248: GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS

HB 248 authorizes New Mexico to issue $500 million in general obligation bonds to fund capital projects including senior centers statewide, higher education facilities, and public libraries. The bonds would be paid through a new property tax levy on all taxable property in the state, with principal and interest due over a maximum 10-year term. Voter approval via a statewide referendum at the 2026 general election is required before the bonds can be issued. This bill creates a new state debt obligation backed by the full faith and credit of New Mexico, directly affecting taxpayers through the property tax mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new property tax to fund public infrastructure (libraries, education) via $500M bonds, increasing state debt and taxation to advance public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds higher education facilities as a specific capital project category, directly advancing educational infrastructure within the topic scope.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 247: CAPITAL OUTLAY CHANGES

HB 247 limits how New Mexico state agencies can manage capital projects (like construction or equipment purchases) by requiring unspent funds to revert to specific state funds. It prohibits reauthorizing projects more than once or for over two years unless 10% of the initial funds are already committed, and mandates that projects over $100,000 must align with an approved infrastructure plan. Unspent general fund capital appropriations must revert to the Capital Development and Reserve Fund (or Tribal Infrastructure Fund for tribal projects) by specific deadlines, with water projects now requiring state agency grant programs instead of direct legislative funding. The bill updates prior laws (2022-2025) to enforce these reversion timelines and spending rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnforces fiscal accountability in capital project spending through fund reversion and alignment requirements, promoting responsible budget management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 7: APPRENTICESHIP ASSISTANCE ACT TRANSFERS

HB 7 directs annual transfers from New Mexico's Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund to two specific programs: $2.5 million to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund and $2.5 million to the Workforce Solutions Department for fiscal year 2026, with amounts reducing to $1.5 million each annually after 2026. These funds support apprenticeship programs under the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, directly aiding job training for workers in public works and other sectors. The bill ensures dedicated funding for workforce development while including a contingency to transfer money to the general fund only if other reserves are exhausted during budget shortfalls.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $2.5M/year from existing trust fund to apprenticeship programs, funding workforce development under Budget & Taxes appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds apprenticeship programs for job training, directly supporting workforce development and employment standards per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 95: ADDITIONAL SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT JUDGESHIP

HB 95 creates a new judgeship in New Mexico's Second Judicial District, increasing the number of district judges from thirty to thirty-one. The bill appropriates $451,400 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to cover the judge's salary, benefits, and necessary office equipment and supplies. This funding is specifically for the new position within the Second Judicial District court system. The bill directly affects the administrative capacity and staffing of that district's courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $451,400 from general fund to fund new judgeship, increasing court staffing and public service budget allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 158: PLANS ON USE OF CERTAIN FUNDS

HB 158 requires state agencies receiving funds from the Government Results and Opportunity Expendable Trust to submit detailed accountability and evaluation plans for their programs. These plans must outline goals, evidence-based practices, performance measures, evaluation methods, and public reporting timelines. Agencies must submit initial plans by July 1 each year after funding is approved, with potential revisions by September 1, and final evaluations by July 15 of the program’s last funding year. The bill aims to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes for public spending from this specific trust fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires accountability plans for fund usage, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending through performance measures and public reporting.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 108: WATERSHED DISTRICT TAXES AND DIRECTORS

HB 108 allows watershed districts in New Mexico to request soil and water conservation districts to levy property taxes for district operations. Specifically, watershed districts can ask the local soil conservation district board to impose an annual tax (capped at $5 per $1,000 of property value) to fund administration, construction, and maintenance of watershed projects. This bill clarifies the appointment process for watershed district boards, ensuring representation from soil conservation districts that hold minority land within the watershed area. It directly affects watershed districts, soil conservation districts, and property owners within those districts who may be subject to the requested taxes. The key change is creating a formal mechanism for watershed districts to secure dedicated funding through local property tax levies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables new property tax authority ($5/$1k cap) for watershed district funding, directly advancing local tax-based budgeting for water projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds watershed projects for water conservation, directly supporting environmental protection through resource management and infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes