2025 NM Legislative Session

Legislation expands the New Mexico Border Authority board to improve capabilities and agility

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to pass legislation that would improve infrastructure and economic development in New Mexico's border communities.

House Bill 469 would update the composition of the board of the New Mexico Border Authority (NMBA), a state agency that facilitates development of the state's international points of entry and facilitates trade, infrastructure, job creation, and economic development in border communities.

"Baby Bonds" would help New Mexico's children achieve financial independence and overcome generational poverty

Santa Fe, N.M. – Legislation to provide a head start at financial independence for every child born in New Mexico is now headed to the House Floor, after passing the House Appropriations and Finance Committee today by a vote of 9-5.

House Bill 7: the Children's Future Act and Fund would create a trust fund to provide financial support, also known as "baby bonds," for all individuals born in New Mexico after January 1, 2025. These funds would be allocated to children at birth then be invested so they could continue to grow. When the child turns 18 and graduates from high school, they would be able to use the funds for education, housing, entrepreneurship costs, or investment opportunities.

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to help law enforcement solve cold cases in New Mexico, by a unanimous vote.

House Bill 340 would allow the DNA of deceased individuals who were arrested for a felony, but passed away before being charged, to be entered into the federal CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) database. The individual's DNA could then be reviewed to see if it is a match on any unsolved cases.

This legislation comes on the heels of the 16th anniversary of Albuquerque's West Mesa murders. On February 2, 2009, the bodies of 11 young women were discovered buried on the city's west mesa. The case remains open and unsolved. Supporters of HB 340 are hopeful that this new policy may resolve this and other cases of murder and disappearance.

Bills to improve access to housing and prevent homelessness now head to the Senate

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives voted to advance three key pieces of legislation to help improve housing affordability and accessibility, and address homelessness across New Mexico.

House Bill 253, which would help New Mexicans secure stable housing by sealing eviction records for cases that are old, incomplete, or unsuccessfully pursued by the landlord, passed by the House by a vote of 38-25.

Currently, even if a tenant wins an eviction case or an eviction request is dropped by the landlord, the tenant is listed in public record as being involved in an eviction case, which can make it difficult to secure housing in the future.

Legislation would provide sustained funding for water and infrastructure projects statewide

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives voted 47-16 to pass a bill that would establish a permanent, sustained funding source for acequia and land grant-merced infrastructure projects across the state.

House Bill 330 would create a stabilized funding source for these projects through a severance bonding system administered by the New Mexico Land Grant Council and Interstate Stream Commission in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration.

Legislation expands access to prevention and rehabilitation services for youth while enhancing accountability for serious crime

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to address juvenile violence and expand programs for at-risk youth in New Mexico, by a vote of 34-24. House Bill 255 would expand services offered to young people and enhance accountability for certain juvenile offenders to better prevent and address juvenile crime.

Legislation would ensure utilities are ready to meet state's clean energy goals

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation that would require public utilities to make updates to the state's power distribution systems to prepare for New Mexico's future energy needs, by a vote of 36-23.

House Bill 13 would require New Mexico's electric public utilities to create plans for improving energy generation, infrastructure, and resource distribution to accommodate clean energy and economic development goals. These plans would be provided to the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission (PRC) for approval.

Santa Fe, NM — Today, House Bill 11 advanced in Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee. HB 11 has endured immense scrutiny from the public, local small business owners, and industry leaders throughout the state. It mandates the largest tax increase in state history and will add significant costs to a majority of employees and business owners across New Mexico.

This bill was strongly opposed by the Republican members to no avail; by a vote of (6-4) Paid Family Medical Leave passed and now awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer issued the following statement: