Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 55: 1ST RESPONDER RETIREMENT TAX DEDUCTION

HB 55 would allow first responder retirees (including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and their unmarried surviving spouses to deduct 50% of their retirement pay earned from first responder service from their state income tax. To claim this deduction, taxpayers must submit proof of eligibility to the New Mexico tax department and report the deduction as required. The policy applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and the deduction would be counted in the state’s tax expenditure budget. This change directly affects eligible retirees by reducing their taxable income related to first responder service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for first responder retirees, reducing taxable income and offering targeted tax relief per bill's explicit tax policy change.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Income Tax Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 28: ADVANCE ELECTION FOR ED. FREEDOM TAX PROGRAM

This House Memorial (HM 28) is a non-binding request to New Mexico's governor, asking them to formally opt the state into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. It does not create new state law but urges the governor to submit an "advance election" to the IRS, allowing New Mexico residents to claim federal tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations supporting K-12 students. The program, enacted by federal law, enables dollar-for-dollar tax credits for charitable contributions to scholarship-granting groups, with no cost to New Mexico’s state budget. The memorial emphasizes that delaying this decision could redirect private donations to other states, potentially reducing educational funding opportunities for New Mexico families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requests state opt-in to federal tax credit program, enabling dollar-for-dollar tax relief for education donations, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges state to opt into federal tax credit program enabling K-12 scholarship donations, expanding educational access via tax incentives for private school funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tax Credits Tax Incentives K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 123: DEFIBRILLATORS IN SCHOOLS

SB 123 allocates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Public Education Department to provide grants to public schools for purchasing, installing, testing, or maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The funding is restricted to schools meeting specific requirements under state law and excludes urban-area schools from 2027 grants, with a maximum of $400,000 spent annually through fiscal year 2029. Unspent funds by 2029 will revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects public schools seeking AED equipment funding, with no new mandates beyond the existing legal requirements for school AED programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.2M from state general fund for school AEDs, increasing public safety funding per fiscal management provisions.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.2M for school AEDs via Public Education Department, improving school safety infrastructure as part of education funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1.2M for AEDs in schools (health facilities), directly funding emergency cardiac care infrastructure under HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Student Health

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 7: INCREASE CLINICIAN FACULTY PAY

SB 7 allocates $20 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center to increase pay for clinician faculty members. This funding is specifically for fiscal year 2027, with any unused portion reverting to the state general fund. The bill directly affects clinicians who hold faculty positions at UNM's health sciences programs, such as physicians and nurses teaching in medical or nursing education. The key provision is a one-time appropriation to address compensation, without creating new ongoing state obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20M from state general fund to fund clinician faculty pay at UNM Health Sciences, directly increasing public service funding for essential healthcare education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $20M to increase clinician faculty pay at UNM Health Sciences Center, directly funding healthcare workforce development in medical/nursing education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 183: STATEWIDE DRINKING WATER NEEDS

HB 183 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Department of Environment for statewide drinking water needs during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funding specifically covers private well testing and water filtration systems, directly benefiting residents relying on private wells for drinking water. Unspent funds at the end of 2027 must revert to the general fund. The bill does not create new regulations but allocates existing resources for immediate water quality support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from general fund for water quality services, increasing public spending on critical infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $5M for private well testing/filtration to ensure safe drinking water, directly supporting water quality protection under environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 85: MEDICAL PROVIDER LOAN-FOR-SERVICE PGMS

HB 85 creates a program to increase healthcare providers in New Mexico's underserved areas by offering loan repayment and loan-for-service agreements. It establishes a Medical Provider Recruitment Trust Fund (initially funded with $5 million from the general fund) that invests money and distributes 5% of its annual value to a separate Program Fund. This Program Fund, supported by an additional $1 million annual appropriation, provides financial assistance to physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses who agree to work in designated underserved communities. Priority is given to applicants who graduated from New Mexico state universities or bordering states universities and to those specializing in primary care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M general fund and $1M annual appropriation to fund healthcare provider recruitment, increasing state spending on public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates $5M trust fund + $1M annual appropriation to recruit providers in underserved areas, directly expanding healthcare access and provider availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Primary Care

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 176: CREATE ZERO INTEREST DOWN PAYMENT LOAN FUND

HB 176 creates a new "Zero Interest Down Payment Loan Fund" in New Mexico to provide first-time homebuyers with zero-interest loans covering up to 20% of a home's purchase price. The fund will be financed by redirecting specific state revenues - excess oil and gas tax receipts and federal Mineral Leasing Act funds - that would previously have gone to the Early Childhood Education and Behavioral Health funds. Starting in 2026, these redirected funds will instead support the loan program, with the first-time homebuyer loans secured by a 30-year mortgage lien (requiring repayment if the property sells before 30 years). The bill modifies existing distribution rules for these revenue streams to prioritize housing affordability for qualifying New Mexico residents.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds Early Childhood Education (essential program) by redirecting oil/gas tax revenues to housing loans, reallocating state budget funds.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates zero-interest down payment loans for first-time homebuyers, redirecting funds to advance affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 6: NEW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FACILITY

SB 6 appropriates $546.6 million from New Mexico's general fund to the University of New Mexico's board of regents for constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new School of Medicine facility. The funds are allocated for fiscal years 2027 through 2030, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2030. This bill directly affects the University of New Mexico by enabling the physical development of its medical school infrastructure. It is a funding measure, not a policy change, and specifies concrete financial and timeline details for the construction project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $546.6M from general fund for UNM medical facility, increasing public service funding via budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds new medical school facility at UNM, directly supporting higher education infrastructure and institutional capacity within the education topic area.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $546.6M for UNM School of Medicine facility construction, directly funding healthcare infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 117: UNIFORMED SVC. SALARY TAX EXEMPTION

This bill exempts from New Mexico state income tax salaries paid by the U.S. government to residents serving in uniformed services. It directly affects New Mexico residents working in the military (active/reserve army, navy, air force, etc.), Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, NOAA Corps, or state National Guard. The key provision removes state tax liability on these federal salaries for tax returns filed in 2026 and later. The exemption requires taxpayers to report it to the state tax department and is included in official tax expenditure reports.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts military salaries from state tax, providing direct tax relief to service members, aligning with fiscal support for middle-income earners.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans' federal military salaries from state income tax, increasing disposable income and directly supporting financial well-being for uniformed service members including veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 148: PROPERTY TAX AFFIDAVITS

HB 148 creates a temporary 5% annual cap on increases in property tax valuations for nonresidential properties (like offices or stores) from 2026 through 2036, affecting commercial property owners. It also updates requirements for residential property transfers, mandating that sellers or buyers submit an affidavit with specific details (names, sale price, property description) to county assessors within 30 days of a transfer, but excluding many common transactions like family transfers, government deals, or leases. The bill explicitly states these affidavits are for statistical use only and cannot be used in property valuation. Exceptions to the valuation cap include new properties, expansions after disasters, or changes in property zoning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes 5% annual cap on commercial property tax valuation increases (2026-2036), providing direct tax relief for nonresidential property owners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

Track