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.
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.
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.
This Senate Memorial (SM 3) requests six New Mexico state agencies - including the Department of Game and Fish, State Land Office, and Department of Agriculture - to attend a 2026 workshop on insect identification, ecology, and management. Sponsored by the Wild Friends program, UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology, and the Xerces Society, the workshop aims to educate agency staff about insects' ecological roles (like pollination and soil health) and encourage sharing public-facing materials to reduce misconceptions about insects. The memorial is non-binding and focuses on voluntary agency participation to support ecosystem awareness.
