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.
HB 154 updates the definition of "advanced energy product" for New Mexico's existing tax credit programs. It specifies that qualifying products include solar components (like panels and cells), wind turbine parts, battery materials, fusion machine components, and critical minerals (such as lithium and cobalt). This definition determines eligibility for the Advanced Energy Equipment Income Tax Credit and Corporate Income Tax Credit, which provide tax relief for manufacturers investing in qualifying facilities within New Mexico. The bill directly affects businesses producing these specific energy technologies who seek to claim the tax credits.
HB 253 requires New Mexico school districts and charter schools to report projected enrollment numbers for students in distance learning programs. It changes school funding calculations by excluding distance learning students from membership counts used to determine state funding, and establishes a new approval process for these programs requiring state education department review. The bill also sets enrollment limits for distance learning with specific exceptions, clarifies requirements for students with disabilities in such programs, and renames the "Statewide Cyber Academy Act" as the "Distance Learning Act" while updating related definitions. These changes directly affect school districts, charter schools, and students enrolled in distance learning programs.
SB 2 increases funding for New Mexico's highway projects by raising fees on vehicle registrations and commercial truck taxes. It raises weight-distance tax rates for commercial trucks (affecting freight companies), increases standard passenger vehicle registration fees, and adds new annual fees for electric vehicles ($70-$90) and plug-in hybrids ($35-$45) starting in 2027. All new revenue from these changes goes directly to the State Road Fund to support highway improvements. The bill specifically targets commercial truck operators, all vehicle owners, and electric vehicle owners, with fee amounts varying by vehicle type and registration year.
This bill (HB 3) is a funding authorization for New Mexico's Department of Transportation (DOT) for fiscal year 2027. It allocates specific budget amounts for highway construction and maintenance ($556 million for design/construction, $321 million for operations), including funding for road projects, bridge inspections, and equipment. The bill includes performance targets, such as maintaining 95% of bridges in fair or better condition and completing 88% of projects on schedule. It directly affects DOT operations and state highway infrastructure management, with no new policy changes - only funding allocation.
