Technology

HB 36, the Accessibility Act, creates the Office of Accessibility within New Mexico's Department of Health to improve access for people with disabilities in state services. The Office will develop accessibility standards, provide training to state agencies on digital and physical accessibility, and assist agencies in identifying barriers in websites, apps, and facilities. State agencies must annually report their accessibility efforts to the Office, which will then issue public reports detailing progress, barriers, and recommendations to the governor and legislature. The bill appropriates $350,000 for the Office's operations during fiscal years 2026-2027.

SB 111 clarifies the definition of "personal information" within New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Code. It explicitly states that vehicle ownership details, accident records, driving violations, and driver status do not qualify as "personal information" under this definition. This amendment creates a clear boundary between personal data (like social security numbers) and vehicle-related records for state agencies. The bill is currently progressing through legislative committees after passing a committee report.

SB 132 expands New Mexico's Department of Information Technology (DOIT) funding mechanisms to include software replacement costs alongside hardware. It amends existing law to rename "Equipment Replacement Revolving Funds" as "Equipment and Software Replacement Revolving Funds," requiring DOIT to create separate plans for both hardware and software replacement for its enterprise services. The bill establishes that funds must be replenished through revenue from services (based on cost structures) and cannot expire at year-end, ensuring dedicated capital for replacing both physical equipment and associated software used across state agencies. This change directly affects DOIT's operations and the state's IT infrastructure funding, shifting the focus from purely equipment to encompassing software lifecycle management.