HB 309 amends New Mexico's property tax code to explicitly include energy storage systems in the special valuation method for electric utilities. It defines "storage" as technology that converts, stores, and returns electricity to balance supply and demand, ensuring these systems are treated like generation and transmission assets for tax purposes. This directly affects utility companies owning energy storage equipment, requiring them to be valued under the same tax rules. The bill changes how such property is assessed but does not alter tax rates or create new financial obligations. The update applies to property tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
HB 254 modifies New Mexico's utility cost test to allow investor-owned electric utilities to include the value of avoided greenhouse gas emissions when determining if energy efficiency programs are cost-effective. This change directly affects investor-owned utilities by enabling them to count reduced emissions as a financial benefit in cost-benefit analyses for energy-saving programs. The bill amends definitions and procedures in the Efficient Use of Energy Act, requiring the Public Regulation Commission to consider avoided emissions when evaluating whether utility programs meet the "utility cost test" standard. It does not mandate new emissions reductions but changes how existing programs are assessed for cost-effectiveness. The bill is currently pending before the House committees.
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.
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.
This memorial requests New Mexico's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to create a 14-member study group focused on accelerating the approval of community- and utility-scale renewable energy projects. The group will examine current permitting processes, identify ways to streamline reviews, and recommend improvements to support the state's clean energy goals while balancing environmental protections and public input. The study group will include representatives from state agencies, utilities, environmental organizations, tribal entities, and local governments, with a final report due by November 2026.
HJM 3 is a joint memorial requesting two reports about New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act (HB 212, enacted in 2025). It asks the Environmental Improvement Board to assess how well the law's phaseout rules for PFAS-containing products are working, and the Department of Environment to evaluate risks from exemptions (like those for fluoropolymers) and recommend changes. The reports must cover implementation effectiveness, public health/environmental risks, and economic impacts. Agencies must submit preliminary findings by December 2026 and a final report by August 2027. This memorial does not change laws but seeks data to inform future policy.
HB 184 reorganizes New Mexico's conservation funding by transferring the entire balance of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund into the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and establishing new investment and distribution rules. It requires the Conservation Legacy Fund to be invested under the prudent investor rule, sets annual distributions from the Conservation Legacy Fund to the Land of Enchantment Fund at 5% of its three-year average value, and specifies how funds from the Land of Enchantment Fund must be allocated. Specifically, 22.5% goes to the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department for forest/watershed projects, 22.5% to the University Board for agricultural programs, 10% to the Environment Department for water quality, 15% to Economic Development for outdoor recreation, 8% to Cultural Affairs, and 22% to Wildlife for conservation programs. Unspent funds from these allocations revert to the Conservation Legacy Fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 63 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans or grants from the Water Project Fund to 53 specific local entities across New Mexico, including cities, counties, tribes, and water districts. The bill directs funding for concrete water infrastructure projects such as water storage, treatment, recycling, flood prevention, and wastewater systems in communities like Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. It establishes that these projects must align with terms set by the Water Trust Board and the Finance Authority, using existing state funds without creating new taxes. The legislation directly affects local governments and water providers by enabling specific, funded infrastructure improvements to address water management needs.
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.
HB 109 changes how New Mexico prioritizes water projects funded through the Water Project Fund. It requires the Finance Authority to use a new scoring system evaluating factors like project urgency (based on regional water plans), availability of matching funds, permit readiness, regional impacts, and improvements to water quality or quantity. Crucially, the bill allows the Authority to fund projects without annual legislative approval until December 31, 2028, after which a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers would be needed to extend this exemption. The bill also specifies fund structure details, including dedicated allocations for water rights adjudications.
