HB 82 extends New Mexico's Technology Readiness Gross Receipts Tax Credit through 2035, allowing national laboratories operating in the state to claim tax credits for helping local businesses mature technologies developed at those labs. The credit covers qualified costs like lab staff wages, travel, and supplies, up to $150,000 per business annually and $5 million total per laboratory per year. To qualify, businesses must be registered in New Mexico, have licensed technology from a lab or be in a research partnership, and receive assistance not otherwise available at reasonable cost. This directly affects New Mexico's national laboratories (e.g., Los Alamos, Sandia) and qualifying businesses collaborating with them on technology development.
SB 136 makes it illegal to use drones to secretly capture images of people, private property, or critical infrastructure without permission for surveillance purposes. It creates two offenses: a misdemeanor for general unauthorized drone surveillance, and a felony for drone operations near critical infrastructure (like power plants, water facilities, or government buildings) that disrupt operations or cause contact. Exceptions include drone use with consent, by government agencies, for research, by licensed surveyors, or for insurance purposes. The law aims to prevent privacy violations and security threats while allowing legitimate drone activities under specific conditions.
This bill establishes the New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission within the Economic Development Department to strengthen economic ties between New Mexico and Ireland. The commission, composed of appointed members including legislative leaders, Irish-American community representatives, and sector experts (agriculture, energy, higher education), will focus on advancing trade in technology, agriculture, and energy. It must hold annual meetings, promote business and academic exchanges, and submit yearly reports to state leaders by December 1. The commission aims to foster mutual investment and policy collaboration without imposing new regulations or taxes.
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Economic Development
HB 22 makes it illegal to distribute non-consensual "sensitive deepfake images" in New Mexico - defined as digitally altered images depicting private body parts (like uncovered genitals or a woman's breast below the areola) or intimate acts. It expands existing privacy laws to cover these deepfakes, creating new criminal penalties (misdemeanor for first offense, felony for repeat offenses) and threatening to distribute such images. Victims can now sue for libel, slander, or invasion of privacy in civil court, recovering actual damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and profits gained by the perpetrator. The law specifically targets non-consensual distribution, excluding platforms from liability for user content and clarifying that consent to create a deepfake doesn’t cover its distribution.
SB 68, the Artificial Intelligence Government Use Act, requires New Mexico's public bodies - including state agencies, counties, school districts, and other government entities - to establish policies for using artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision tools. These policies must ensure human employees make final decisions for consequential matters (like housing, employment, or health care), protect sensitive data, and prevent bypassing security protocols. Public bodies must also train employees on AI policies and appropriate use, with policies made available to the public upon request. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 152 establishes a new Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program in New Mexico, replacing the previous "Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act." The program directly affects low-income residents who qualify for telecom service assistance, waiving specific fees including the 911 emergency surcharge and telecommunications relay service surcharge. Key provisions include restructuring the existing broadband program, setting budget caps for the state rural universal service fund, and requiring regular reporting on program administration. The bill repeals the outdated Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act to streamline eligibility and funding under the new framework.
SB 192, the Data Broker Privacy Act, regulates companies that collect and sell personal data without a direct relationship to consumers (data brokers). It requires data brokers to register with New Mexico's Economic Development Department, pay fees funding a privacy fund, and disclose specific practices like whether they collect sensitive data (reproductive health, location, or minors' information). The bill establishes a public website and a centralized deletion tool allowing New Mexico residents to request removal of their personal data from all registered brokers with one request, including protections for accessibility and multilingual access. Data brokers must also annually report on how they handle deletion requests, including reasons for denials.
HB 89 establishes a new computer science teaching endorsement in New Mexico, allowing educators to teach computer science at all grade levels. To qualify, teachers must meet one of several requirements, including 15 college credits in computer science, two years of industry experience, or 60 hours of relevant professional development. The bill appropriates $250,000 for quantum computing-focused professional development to support teachers seeking or maintaining this endorsement. This requirement directly affects current and future New Mexico teachers who wish to add computer science to their teaching license.
HB 210 allocates $4.813 million from the general fund to the Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2027. It directly provides healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) with subsidized subscriptions to New Mexico's state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE), encouraging them to share patient health data electronically. The bill’s key mechanism is covering the cost of HIE subscriptions for participating facilities, aiming to improve data sharing across providers. Any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to patient care standards.
HB 27 expands New Mexico's Technology Jobs and Research & Development Tax Credit by broadening the definition of "qualified expenditure" to include property owned by municipalities or counties for industrial revenue bond projects. This change directly affects technology companies and research facilities in New Mexico that qualify for the credit, allowing them to claim tax credits for costs related to local government-owned facilities used in qualifying R&D activities. The bill modifies existing tax code definitions to include these previously excluded property costs, without altering the credit's base eligibility criteria or calculation method. The amendment applies to businesses meeting standard requirements under the Technology Jobs and R&D Tax Credit Act, such as conducting qualified research in New Mexico facilities.
