2025 NM Legislative Session

SANTA FE, MARCH 22—The First Session of the 57th Legislature has ended, and sine die has been declared. Despite holding the minority in both chambers of the state legislature, Republicans held the line for New Mexicans against a wave of bad bills.

"First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their hard work, countless hours and time spent away from family during this session," said Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela. "Republicans in the legislature stood strong, stopping the biggest tax increase in state history and attacks on Second Amendment rights. Democrats ignored New Mexicans' top concern—crime—killing common-sense Republican bills while pushing to reward violent juvenile offenders with thousands of tax dollars instead of jail time.

Bill to eliminate state income tax for many working families now heads to Governor

Santa Fe, N.M. - After conference committee meetings Friday, the House of Representatives and the Senate both voted to agree on amendments to House Bill 14, a tax bill that would effectively eliminate state income tax for tens of thousands of New Mexico families.

HB 14 increases and expands tax cuts for nearly 400,000 New Mexicans, includes credits for foster parents and guardians, expands a Gross Receipts Tax deduction for healthcare practitioners, and makes a modest increase to taxes on alcoholic beverages, directing funds to address alcohol related harms across New Mexico.

Continues to Push for Stronger Protections House Democrats applaud creation of independent watchdog for children in CYFD, continue push for greater oversight, transparency, and accountability

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, two key pieces of legislation advanced that will improve child well-being by strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability at the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD).

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law House Bill 5, creating an independent Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) to oversee child well-being in the state. House Democrats are lauding this critical victory for children in the care of CYFD but continue to push for further reforms.

Santa Fe, NM — Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved Senate Bill 70, a complete expansion of our state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). This bill broadened the scope of what prosecutors can use when targeting gangs, cartels, and other criminal enterprises. The following crimes would be added to our state's RICO Act should the Governor sign the bill into law:

Human trafficking
Sexual exploitation of children
Criminal sexual penetration
Criminal sexual contact
Dog fighting and cockfighting
Bringing contraband into places of imprisonment

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed
Senate Bill 199, legislation that expands funding for the Department of Finance and Administration's (DFA) Local DWI Grant Program.

"While the revenues going toward the Local DWI Grant Program have increased, money appropriated for administration has simply not kept up," said Sen. Leo Jaramillo, sponsor of SB 199. "By increasing this funding stream, we will see improved operations and better support for these important local DWI Programs, enhancing services for clients and ultimately making our communities safer and healthier. I extend my sincere gratitude to the governor for signing this bill into law."

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House unanimously passed two additional public safety bills. Senate Bill 70 and Senate Bill 155 both tackle organized crime.

SB 70 would give New Mexico's law enforcement agencies and courts better ability to combat human trafficking and organized crime. The legislation would update the definition of crimes that can be considered racketeering to include sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact, dog fighting and cockfighting, and bringing contraband into prisons. SB 70 is sponsored by Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) and Representative Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho).

Legislation will make communities safer, homes easier to insure

SANTA FE – A bill establishing the New Mexico Wildfire Prepared Program is headed to the Governor's desk that develops property protection standards and certification guidelines to make communities safer from wildfires.

Senate Bill 33, the Wildfire Prepared Act, was sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics and Rep. Harlan Vincent.

Santa Fe, NM — Today, in the Senate Rules Committee, Democrats voted to kill Senate Bill 484, the Government Accountability to Taxpayer Act (also known as GATO). The bill was a transparency effort to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the state government level. Despite being introduced over a month ago, SB 484 only received its first hearing with a mere 25 hours remaining in this year's regular legislative session, reflecting Democrats' opposition to such transparency.